The Hays Monarchs battled back from a couple of deficits, but it wasn’t enough as they fall to Iola 8-6 in nine innings in the winner’s bracket final of the “AA” American Legion state baseball tournament in Sabetha.

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The Monarchs took advantage of three errors and scored four in the third to grab a 4-3 lead. Jacob Fouts hit a two-run double in the frame.

Iola scored three in the fifth to retake the lead but the Monarchs answer an inning later to force extra innings.

Iola loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth and scored the go-ahead run with one out on a suicide squeeze. They added an insurance run one batter later on a sacrifice fly.

The Monarchs had runners at first and third with two outs in the sixth and failed to score. They had them at the corners with one-out in the eighth and also failed to get anyone home, stranding 11 in game.

Brian Brungardt takes the loss in relief, allowing two runs on three hits over four innings. Starter Nick Hammeke allowed five runs on six hits while walking three over five innings.

Iola improves to 40-3 on the season and advances to the 2:30 title game Saturday. The Monarchs fall to 19-12 overall and play an elimination game at noon which you can hear on 14-KAYS.