IMS 3  Lone Tree 2

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When IMS and Lone Tree get together on the softball diamond it usually means that it will be close game one way or another and Thursday night was no exception.  The evening started off with a one two three top of the first for Lone Tree including a great read and catch by outfielder Naomi Miller.  This would be a theme for most of the night for Lone Tree as the IMS defense came up big in every inning.  
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IMS started with hot bats in the bottom of the inning. Mo Brenneman led things off with a base hit down the left field line and Olivia Yutzy followed it up with a bunt for a base hit to put runners on first and third.  After a stolen base by Yutzy, Meredith Schrock came through with a base hit to give IMS the early 2-0 lead.  In the top of the second and the third the IMS outfield came up with two more hit saving catches - one more by Naomi Miller and an over the shoulder catch by Mo Brenneman deep in the right center gap.  Lone Tree threatened in the top of the fifth with one out and a runner on first when they tried to take an extra base on a base hit but Olivia Yutzy came up throwing to get the runner at third for the second out and ended the threat.  IMS added what proved to be an important run in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Gretchen Geyer reached base on an error and then advanced to second on a ground ball  by Meredith Schrock.  With one out and a runner on second Megan Haifley popped out to the first baseman but Lone Tree forgot about the runner at second and Geyer was playing heads up and advanced to third.  Geyer was able to score on a passed ball to make it 3-0 going into the top of the sixth inning.  Lone Tree was ready to make things interesting in the top of the sixth.  To start the sixth inning Mo Brenneman made a basket catch to get the first out but Lone Tree was determined to get things started.  Lone Tree had two of the next three batters get base hits to put runners on first and second with two outs.  Both runners would score on a double to make it 3-2. It would end there for the Lions as the next batter popped out to the catcher. IMS put one runner on in the bottom of the sixth but they were unable to put anymore runs across. Lone Tree went down in order in the top of the seventh as Olivia Yutzy got in on the action in the outfield making a hit saving catch down the right field line helping preserve the 3-2 win.
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“This was a great win for us to get.  I think what made me the most excited was the way we played defense. We have really focused on getting better in that area and it was fun to see it come together tonight” said Head Coach Chris Nachtigall. IMS was led by Mo Brenneman 2-4 1 run 1 SB; Olivia Yutzy 2-4 1 run 1 SB; Gretchen Geyer 1-4 1 run; Meredith Schrock 1-3 2 RBI; Megan Haifley 2-2; Jacayla Litwiller 1-3(2B); Amber Davis 1-1; Pitching Laura Hochstetler 7 innings 4K, 1 BB, 5 hits, 3 runs.  And the IMS outfield making a lot of great plays.  
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IMS is 6-8 (6-4 SEISC) and will play Friday at home against Keota.