IMS uses four-run seventh to hold off W-MU, 8-3

A four-run seventh inning provided enough of an insurance cushion for Iowa Mennonite School to hold on for an 8-3 Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division win Thursday night over Winfield-Mt. Union.

Aggressive base running coupled with a bevy of W-MU (5-11 overall, 4-6 SEISC North) miscues in the top of the seventh allowed IMS (8-11 overall, 8-7 SEISC North) to do most of the damage with one out. Amber Davis and Megan Haifley each hit an RBI single in the inning as Mo Brenneman put down an RBI bunt and Gretchen Geyer hit an RBI double for IMS' last scoring burst.

"I was surprised we were able to score runs like we did, we created a few situations with some of our speed on base that hurt them a little bit," said IMS coach Chris Nachtigall. "We took advantage of their overthrows and were able to get extra bases when we needed to. We like to be pretty aggressive on the base paths so we're looking for those opportunities and that was huge."

Though IMS had an eight run lead, W-MU's bats came alive in the bottom of the seventh, as Kenzi Sternat scored on a single by Shelby Therme; Therme later scored the final run for W-MU, stealing home on a past ball.

"We played a good first four innings, solid defense but we didn't put the bat on the ball like we should have. We waited until the seventh and it was too late," said W-MU coach Amanda Darbyshire. "If we make the defensive errors, then we've got to make up for it at the plate and that's not what we're doing."

Neither team scored until IMS pushed two runs across in the fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead; Brenneman slid under the tag at third base for a two-RBI triple in the fifth inning as IMS pushed the lead to 4-0.

For IMS, keeping its composure as W-MU attempted a late game rally Thursday was the key to the win, according to Nachtigall.

"I knew it wasn't going to be a lay down and die in the seventh inning but we bared down and were able to get the outs we needed to and make the plays that we needed to. I was proud of our girls to be able to do that," said Nachtigall. "That's something we'd been kind of focusing on. We played Mediapolis on Tuesday and gave up five runs in the top of the seventh inning to lose that one, 5-4. They were a real good team and hit the ball against us but we didn't want to come out and do that again. We gave up a few but we buckled down when we needed to."

Sophomore Laura Hochstetler earned the win for IMS, striking out six and walking one in seven innings of work, while allowing six hits and one earned run. Kassidy McLaughlin took the loss for W-MU, striking out 10 and walking one; McLaughlin allowed 10 hits over seven innings.

IMS completed the season sweep of W-MU, having already beaten the Wolves 7-6 on June 2 in Kalona.

W-MU hosts Columbus tonight in a make-up SEISC North game, originally scheduled for June 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. IMS hosts Highland in a JV/varsity SEISC North match-up, starting at 5:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE

IMS 8, W-MU 3

IMS ? 0 0 0 2 2 0 4 - 8 10 1

W-MU ? 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 - 3 6 4

Winning Pitcher ? Hochstetler; Losing Pitcher ? McLaughlin

Leading Hitters ? IMS-Geyer 3-4, Brenneman 2-4, Hochstetler 2-3, Davis 1-1, Meredith Schrock 1-4; W-MU-Paige Davison 2-3, Sternat 2-3, Therme 2-3, Anna Crawford 1-1