IMS 4  WACO 3

The IMS softball team picked up their second win of the season on Friday night with a 4-3 win over a previously undefeated WACO team.  IMS came out fired up on defense in the first inning downing the first three batters with Laura Hochstetler striking out two of the three. WACO got the scoring started in the third with two walks and a couple of IMS errors allowing them to score three runs to take a 3-0 lead. After that the IMS defense tightened coming through multiple times in the following innings.  IMS got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning on a lead off base hit and stolen base by Gretchen Geyer who was driven in on a single by Megan Haifley.  The IMS defense came up big during the fifth inning.  After a base hit to lead off the inning for WACO, Megan Haifley stepped up for IMS as the next batter hit a line shot right at her for the first out. The following batter hit another shot down the third base line which Megan was able to make a leaping grab for the second out. Energized by the play of her third baseman Laura Hochstetler struck out the next batter for the final out. IMS used that momentum to score another run in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 2-3 game.  WACO got their lead off hitter on in the top of the sixth and again the IMS defense came through.  After the next batter struck out WACO tried to bunt the runner over to third but instead IMS threw the runner out at first and caught the runner trying to take home for the final out of the inning.  IMS took the lead in the bottom of the six inning scoring two runs on one hit.  IMS led the inning off with Gretchen Geyer reaching base on an error.  Megan Haifley put down a bunt catching WACO off guard and allowing Geyer to reach third and Haifley to reach second. Amber Davis then drove in the tying run on a fly ball to center field which was miss played.  IMS took the lead on a passed ball allowing pinch runner Olivia Yutzy to score. WACO went down in order in the top of the seventh giving IMS the win.

 ”WACO is a good team with a great pitcher. It was a good win for us. I thought we showed a lot of heart in this game. Despite getting down early we kept our composure and fought back.  We were able to put a lot of things together in this game specifically on defense.  We need to have a solid defensive game and tonight we played better then we had to start the year.  We still have things to work on but I am extremely happy for them to be able to pull out a win like this,” said  Head Coach Chris Nachtigall. IMS was led by Gretchen Geyer 2-3 with two runs, three stolen bases; Megan Haifley 1-3 with one RBI; Mo Breneman 1-3with two SB, one run.  Laura Hochstetler pitched all seven innings giving up three hits, n0 earned runs and eight strikeouts.  

IMS is 2-2 (2-1 SEISC)  They play next on Tuesday at Mediapolis.  

The IMS JV softball team completed the week 4-0 downing WACO 5-3 on Friday night.  Casey Perez has been spectacular on the mound and at the plate going 6-8 in the four games with three doubles and two triples.  IMS started out the week with at 8-6 win over Wapello on Monday then had a 14-5 win over Lone Tree on Tuesday and finished up with an 6-5 win over Tri-County on Thursday.  They play next on Tuesday at Mediapolis.