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The IMS Baseball team went on the road over Father’s Day weekend but the length of the trip was a bit longer than one might have expected. IMS and Keokuk High School were in their second year of a two year home and home match-up and since Keokuk visited the Maroon and Black last year, it was IMS’ turn to travel south to Keokuk…or so it was supposed to be.  Instead, all players headed south on the Avenue of the Saints stopping near the Gateway to the West in St. Louis.  Busch Stadium, home of the Major League Baseball team St. Louis Cardinals, would become the neutral site host of this non-conference match-up.  Simply put, it was a unique and exciting opportunity for everyone involved from players to coaches to parents to fans.   

As the high school game soon approached, it was the big leaguers who started off the day when the Cardinals hosted their cross-state rival, Kansas City Royals.  The game was not light on story lines as Cardinals All-star and fan favorite Albert Pujos belted a solo-home run in the game to later find himself injured and out of the ball game from a play at first base.  The most dramatic came after the Cardinals gave up a homerun and their lead in the top half of the 9th inning to even the score at 2-2. 

Both teams got dressed in their respective locker rooms after the Cardinals game and waited as thousands of kids got the opportunity to “run the bases” just like the big leaguers and on this particular evening, just like the IMS ball players.  IMS was the visiting team on the scoreboard and didn’t waste any time taking advantage of this special moment.  Senior Ethan Gingerich led off the game lining a ball into right field for a single.  Senior Riley Hochstedler followed with a base on balls, which included a couple of wild pitches that allowed Ethan Gingerich to come across the plate and score the first run of the ball game for IMS.   However, it seemed as though the early scoring threats would end when their southpaw pitcher retired Jackson Brokaw on fly ball to left field and then struck out Marshall Schrock.  Reggie Hostetler, courtesy running for the catcher, Riley Hochstedler, entered the game and a perfectly executed stolen base attempt matched with a line double by sophomore Cameron Gingerich allowed Reggie to score from first base and increase the IMS score to 2-0.  Junior Christopher Perez kept the momentum going as he singled home Cameron to allow IMS to take the early 3-0 lead before a very supportive and excited crowd. 

Jackson Brokaw started the game on the mound for IMS and after retiring the lead-off hitter in the first inning, Keokuk countered with back-to-back singles and then later loaded the bases with a Hit-by-Pitch.  What came next though was one of the plays of the day, as  hard ground ball came to Marshall Schrock at third base who quickly stepped on his base for the second out and quickly threw over to first base to retire the batter and end the inning for Keokuk’s offense.  The score would remain 3-0 until the top half of the third inning, when Marshall Schrock led off with reaching base on a fielding error. Cameron Gingerich singled for his second hit of the ball game. Christopher Perez reached base on a fielder’s choice at second, getting out the runner, Cameron. Marshall would then score on a passed ball which also allowed Perez to reach second base.  Junior Levi Schrock then singled home Perez for to extend IMS’ lead to 5-0.

Keokuk would get on the board in their half of the third inning, when a lead-off single would later score from back-to-back singles by their two best hitters.  Jackson would end their threat though, by striking out their clean-up hitter and getting a ground ball to Marshall at third who promptly threw out their hitter for the final out of the inning. 

Cameron Gingerich came into the ball game and pitched the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings and did not allow a run, only two hits and faced one more than the minimum of batters, 10.  In IMS sixth inning, the lead extended to 8 to 1, when Jackson Brokaw ripped a ball over the right fielder’s head scoring Ethan Gingerich and Reggie Hostetler on a triple.  Jackson would later score that inning on a wild pitch. 

Marshall Schrock then took a turn on the mound for IMS and even though Keokuk did present some fight to come back scoring two runs, it was Schrock and his defense behind him that shut the door and gave the IMS the victory in St. Louis 12-3.   Cameron Gingerich, who performed the best in relief, was credited with the victory on the mound. 

Since an overall time limit was presented to the two teams from the Cardinals, IMS and Keokuk agreed to play a full seven inning varsity game and then allow the JV to play as much time as possible up to the time limit.  This allowed for the younger players to get an opportunity to play which they took full advantage of the chance to compete at Busch Stadium.  Dallas Nye capped off the evening in the top half of the ninth inning when he lined a shot in the outfield scoring Nathan Peterson and Reggie Hostetler tallying up two more runs for the Maroon and Black and ending the night in terrific fashion. 

The IMS coaches and players want to thank all of the parents, fans, community, the school board and administration to allow for this opportunity to exist for the ball players.  It was a tremendous day, beginning with worship under the St. Louis Arch and ending with the ability to compete in a venue like Busch Stadium.   We can’t thank you enough.

The top three sellers of tickets were able to tour the facility and get in on the Cardinal's batting practice. Along with Coach Kent Blossom were Jason Litwiller, Marshall Schrock, and Jackson Brokaw.