Wyatt Wolberg drew a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday to lift the Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds to a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Assumption Varsity Royals on Tuesday, June 2, in Iola.
The teams traded the lead throughout a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple ties. With the score knotted at 5-5 and two runners on, Wolberg was struck by a pitch, forcing home the winning run and sending the Thunderbirds to victory.
Iola-Scandinavia jumped ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Wolberg grounded into a fielder’s choice to score the first run, and Jose Gutierrez grounded out to plate the second.
Assumption tied it at the top of the third. An error and a single by Ron Bord produced the two runs that made it 2-2. The Thunderbirds regained the lead at the bottom of the third, pushing across two more runs for a 4-2 advantage. Wolberg singled home a run, and Gutierrez followed with a double to extend the cushion.
The Royals answered at the top of the fourth when JJ Oswald doubled to center field, tying the game at 4-4. They took their only lead at the top of the fifth on a single by Camden Martin that scored a run for a 5-4 edge.
Iola-Scandinavia mounted its final rally in the seventh. Broghan Gullixon drew a walk to start the inning, setting the stage for the decisive sequence that ended with Wolberg’s hit-by-pitch.
Ben Gruba earned the win in relief for the Thunderbirds. The right-hander worked two scoreless innings, allowing two hits without issuing a walk or striking out a batter. Mason Morfey started and went four innings, permitting four hits and four runs (three earned). He struck out three and walked three. Carson Desrochers also appeared in relief.
Ron Bord took the loss for Assumption after a strong start. The right-hander lasted six innings, yielding seven hits and six runs (five earned). He struck out nine and walked two.
Gutierrez and Wolberg proved pivotal in the middle of the Iola-Scandinavia order, each driving in two runs. Gruba and Chase Timdal collected two hits apiece for the Thunderbirds, who turned one double play in the game.
The Royals piled up 12 hits but fell short in the late innings. Braxten Steinert, Oswald, Chase Leberg, and Cyler Schill each recorded two hits. Oswald finished 2-for-4 with two runs batted in to pace Assumption’s offense.
The walk-off victory capped a resilient effort by Iola-Scandinavia, which overcame an early deficit and answered every Assumption push to secure the win in dramatic fashion.
