IMS 13  Pekin 1

The IMS softball team played host to the Southeast Iowa Super Conference third place Pekin Panthers on Thursday night taking the field for the last time during the regular season.  IMS started out the evening by honoring their five seniors before the game.  Once the game got started you could tell IMS was all business – led by the seniors.  Pekin was set on ruining these seniors night as their second batter singled center and reached third on an error.  So with one out and and the runner on third it looked like Pekin was poised for a big inning but instead IMS held them to one run and retired the next two batters with the highlight play coming from Megan Haifley on a hot shot to third that she calmly gloved and threw to first.  IMS came out with bats blazing in the bottom half of the inning when four of the first five batters reached base –  three of which were hits.  IMS would score three runs in the inning to make it a 3-1 game. 

The next inning Pekin again had a one out hit to put a runner on first.  But the IMS defense ended the inning with a double play when the runner on first led off too much and on the strike out, catcher Jacayla Litwiller threw her out.  The IMS offense continued to roll in the bottom half of the second inning.  Keilah Brokaw got things going with a lead off base hit, then the next two batters walked to load the bases.  IMS scored one run on a passed ball and then another on a sacrifice by Olivia Yutzy  to make it 5-1. Then Haifley came through at the bat for the second time to score the next two runs making it a 7-1 game heading into the top half of the third inning.  Again Pekin was determined and with a one out walk to put a runner on first it looked like they might be poised to add some runs.  A ground ball to third allowed IMS to get the lead runner which gave them two outs.  After Pekin stole consecutive bases putting a runner on third the next batter walked and stole second making things interesting with two outs and runners on second and third with Pekin’s best hitter up. On this night it seemed as though things were clicking and Laura Hochstetler came through striking her out on four pitches to end the inning and keep the score at 7-1.  IMS was again ready at the plate.  Naomi Miller got things going with a lead off walk.  The next batter was Mo Brenneman who laid down a bunt right back to the pitcher. Instead of giving up Brenneman decided that she was going to beat it out and did just that –  putting runners on first and second with no outs.  Olivia Yutzy walked to load the bases and Gretchen Geyer reached on a fielders choice scoring the first run of the inning.  Two more runs would score before the first out making it an 11-1 game.  After a pitching change the IMS bats came out again with three consecutive singles to end the game at 13-1 in three innings. 

“This was a game where we took advantage of some of their mistakes and put a lot of hits together.  We had been hitting the ball pretty hard the last few games but just weren’t finding the holes. Tonight we found some holes!  I am pleased that we could send the seniors out with a game that they will remember.  This was a good win for us to end the regular season. Hopefully we can use it to gain momentum as we head toward tournament,”  said Head Coach Chris Nachtigall. 

IMS was lead at the plate by Megan Haifley 2-3 2 runs 3 RBI’s; Meredith Schrock 2-3 1 runs 2 RBI’s; Mo Brenneman 1-2 2 runs; Olivia Yutzy 1-2 2 runs 1 RBI; Laura Hochstetler 1-2 2 RBI’s; Keilah Brokaw 1-2 1 Run; Emma Yutzy 1-2; Casey Perez 1-1; Gretchen Geyer 1-1 3 runs 1 RBI; Naomi Miller 2 walks 2 runs;  Pitching Laura Hochstetler 2 htis 5 K’s 2 Walks 0 earned runs.
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IMS is 11-14  (10-8 SEISC) andwill play next Thursday at home in the opening round of tournament at 7 pm.

Seniors Megan Haifley, Meredith Schrock, Coach Chris Nachtigall, Emma Yutzy, Mo Brenneman, Gretchen Geyer

The five senior players and their parents were honored at the game.