Colby Gamecocks Advance to State Semifinals with 4-2 Win Over Iola

Behind a complete-game performance from Braxton Withington and a strong start at the plate, the Colby Gamecocks American Legion team defeated Iola Post 15 by a score of 4-2 on Saturday, July 26 in the second round of the Kansas American Legion State Tournament in Hiawatha.

The Gamecocks, seeded sixth in the state bracket, wasted no time jumping out to a lead. After an Iola error allowed Eloy Ruelas to reach base, Colby strung together three straight singles from Brayden Foss, Max Kersenbrock, and Talon Andreasen. The latter two each drove in a run to give Colby an early 2-0 lead.

Kersenbrock and Andreasen proved to be a tough one-two punch in the middle of the Gamecocks' order, both going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI apiece.

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On the mound, Withington was dominant. The right-hander tossed all seven innings, allowing just four hits and two earned runs while striking out nine and walking only one. He stayed composed even when Iola attempted a late push in the sixth inning, clamping down with back-to-back strikeouts to maintain the lead.

Colby padded their advantage in the fourth inning. With runners on base following a walk and a single, a passed ball and an error allowed two more Gamecocks to cross the plate, extending their lead to 4-0.

Iola fought back with single runs in the sixth and seventh, including RBI groundouts from Dominic Smith and Grady Dougherty, but couldn’t mount a full comeback against Withington's efficient pitching.

In the field, Colby played error-free baseball, with Kasen Stramel recording a team-high nine defensive chances behind the plate.

The Gamecocks totaled seven hits in the game, with contributions from Foss, Ruelas, and Withington in addition to Kersenbrock and Andreasen. The victory sends Colby to the semifinal round of the state tournament, continuing a Cinderella run that started with their opening win over No. 3 seed Seneca.

For Iola, Cole Mathes pitched into the sixth inning, allowing four runs (only one earned) on seven hits. Blake Ellis and Dougherty each recorded two hits for the Indians, who also turned a double play in the loss.

With the win, Colby remains unbeaten in the tournament and will face a semifinal opponent yet to be determined. One thing is clear—this Gamecock team is peaking at the right time.