IMS 4  Mediapolis 5

Tuesday turned out to be a perfect night for softball and the night looked like IMS would also have a perfect night on the field.  IMS got things going early with the defense again setting the tone with Mo Brenneman making an acrobatic catch juggling it two times before securing it.  IMS would also strike first at the plate scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Mo Brenneman scored on a sacrifice by Meredith Schrock and then Gretchen Geyer and Megan Haifley scored on a base hit by Emma Yutzy to make it 3-0.  The IMS defense continued to set the tone not allowing a baserunner until the top of the fifth inning when the first two batters reached base.  But with runners on second and third the defense came through.  Mediapolis tried to bunt and get the runner home but Emma Yutzy faked the throw to first and lured the runner on third off securing the first out of the inning.  Laura Hochstetler struck out the next batter and Mo Brenneman ended the threat securing the third out on a fly ball to center.  IMS would add another run in the bottom of the fifth on an errant throw to second allowing Mo Brenneman to score, making it 4-0.  But the top team in the conference and 11th ranked team in 2A would not give up as their bats came alive in the top of the seventh scoring five runs on five hits and one IMS error to take the lead, 4-5.  IMS was not to give up as Laura Hochstetler led the inning off with a double putting the tying run on second with no outs.  After a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third Mo Brenneman walked and stole second base to put the go ahead run on second with one out.  IMS was just looking to put the ball in play but the Mepo pitching came through striking out the next two batters to secure the come back win.
 ”Mepo has been playing well all year and they haven’t lost in our conference for a reason.  They have good players that came through tonight.  I am extremely proud of our girls and the effort that they had tonight. Sometimes teams just come through and hit the ball and there is nothing you can do about it.  We have come a long way this year for us to be able to have them on the ropes like we did. I am excited to see what we can accomplish the rest of the season,” said Head Coach Chris Nachtigall.  
IMS is 7-11 and 6-7 in SEISC and will play on Thursday at Winfield Mt. Union.