SHIOCTON – Mason Kriesel drew four walks, and the Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds parlayed strong plate discipline into a 12-7 victory over the Shiocton Chiefs on Thursday, May 7.

The Thunderbirds scored three runs in the first inning and added insurance with a two-run sixth, overcoming a late deficit. They finished with nine hits and 11 walks while stealing five bases.

Iola-Scandinavia got on the board in the top of the first when Ben Gruba grounded out to score one run, Wyatt Wolberg singled home another, and an error allowed two more runs to cross the plate for a 4-0 lead.

The Thunderbirds added a run in the third on a walk to Mason Morfey. Shiocton responded in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game with an error, singles by Hoyt Snortum, Levi Jack, and Andrew Young, and a groundout by Brent Collar.

The Chiefs took a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the fifth on a wild pitch that scored one run. Iola-Scandinavia regained the advantage in the top of the sixth. Gruba walked, and Jose Gutierrez singled to center field, with each scoring to put the Thunderbirds back in front for good, 8-7. They added four more runs later in the contest.

Gruba earned the win in relief for Iola-Scandinavia. The pitcher worked two innings, allowing two hits and no runs with one strikeout and no walks. Reid Flannery took the loss for Shiocton, pitching three and one-third innings and surrendering seven runs on six hits with three strikeouts and six walks.

Carson Desrochers started for the Thunderbirds and went three and one-third innings, giving up three hits and five runs, four earned, with two strikeouts and three walks. Andrew Young started for the Chiefs, allowing three hits and five runs, three earned, over three innings with one strikeout and five walks. Mason Kriesel also appeared in relief for Iola-Scandinavia.

Gruba paced the Thunderbirds’ offense with three runs batted in despite going 1-for-4. Timdal led the way with two hits in two at-bats. Kriesel, who also stole two bases, set the tone with his four walks as Iola-Scandinavia ran wild on the basepaths with five steals.

For Shiocton, Collar, and Young each recorded two hits. Jack, Young, and Snortum drove in one run apiece.

The Thunderbirds’ patience at the plate proved decisive, as their 11 walks contributed to multiple rallies and kept pressure on Shiocton pitchers throughout the game. The early lead in the first established momentum that the visitors were able to protect after trading blows in the middle innings.

Iola-Scandinavia will travel to Marathon Varsity on Saturday, May 9.