Ney, Yoder play last IMS home game

KALONA - It was great for Iowa Mennonite School to win its third game of the year and it happened in Suzanna Yoder's and Rubye Ney's last home game for the school.

The two seniors went out in a big victory, notching an 11-3 SEISC North Division win over Columbus.

In Yoder's last at bat, she hit a triple to the outfield that was misplayed while she just kept running, reaching home plate as the Wildcats coralled errant throws. From her position as catcher, Ney threw out two runners trying to steal second base.

'This was awesome, especially being their last game,” IMS coach Kathryn Ney said. 'They are best friends and we are going to miss them like none other. Her and Suzanna work so well together.”

The game got a late start as an ambulance was called to the baseball field for an umpire who had collapsed. The game finished early due to lightning with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.

'I wanted to play out the game. We were on a roll,” Coach Ney said. 'This was senior night and we wanted to play our best for them. I think we sent them out in style.”

Things did not go as well for the Wildcats.

'We just couldn't get our bats going,” Columbus coach Katie Coil said. 'We were sluggish on defense. Our pitching wasn't there. There are some things we are going to have to work on for (Friday's) game against Highland. We have to be prepared and 100 percent into ready to play.”

Coach Ney was effusive in her praise of the two seniors.

'Suzanna is such an all-around athlete and she is so smart besides. She's very kind. We are really going to miss her at shortstop. She played third base for a couple years, then short. She has just been phenomenal on that side of the field. She is a true leader. She always knows what's going on. She helps her teammates in anyway she can.

'Ruby has played centerfield for four years and then we moved her to catcher halfway through this season. She has totally surprised us with her abilities back there. It's just amazing what she has done. I think she has thrown out 17 runners trying to steal second.

'If you look at their stats, they are very similar. They are very similar in other ways. They are in the same things at school. I just can't say enough about them.

'This season has been rough but we knew it was going to be a growing season. This was a great way to end our regular season and a great way for them to end their careers at home.”