Fast Start for MICDS; Great Finish for Ladue

Ladue-MICDS baseball. The showdown played at the new West Campus of Ladue was definitely a tale of a game within a game.

The MICDS Rams jumped all over Ladue hurler Jason Sander for three runs in the first inning, three runs in the second and one in the third. But the Rams started an uprising in the fifth and won in a six and a half inning game that took two hours, 19 minutes, 9-7. The Ladue Rams touched MICDS hurler Clayton Buddemeyer for two in the fourth and four in the fifth to tie and overcome the visitors.

Buddemeyer was an early-game hitting star, belting a three-run home to left in the second inning, building the lead to 6-0.

His home run landed halfway up the hill in left, leaving the park at the 330 foot mark.

Ladue’s big frame was the home half of the fifth. Sandler led off with a walk and Hamm Hooper singled setting up runners at first and second. Runners went to second and third on a double steal.

Gabe Grand, hitting in the 8th slot delivered a one run single, closing MICDS’ lead to 7-5. Matt Bearman entered the game for Buddemyer and Daniel Scheinbein, Ladue shortstop delivered the key hit in the game, tying it at 7-7 with a triple to center field.

“I just stayed back on the pitch and blasted the ball,” said Scheinbein. “They were throwing junk all day. Finally I got some fastballs,” he said. “I know one thing, there are two schools who reside on Warson Road and the real Rams won today,” he said, backing down from no one.

Rob Ewald, who came into the game in the fourth showed really good control on the mound. He kept MICDS from scoring any more runs after the third inning, pitching out of several jams.

“We had great defense behind us. We’ve been playing well all year,” said Ewald who has worked in a relievers role all season long. The Ladue side improved to 13-5 while MICDS slipped under .500 at 5-6.

“We’ve beens struggling, and things have not gone well lately,” said MICDS coach Peter Jans. “We’re having trouble scrapping things together. We’ve been busy trying to turn bad things into good things,” said the MICDS skipper.

Rob Garrett was really proud of the come from behind effort. “I am so proud of you guys. This was a game where for a while we were doing everything wrong. Sometimes you guys need a pat on the back, and sometimes you need a kick in the butt.”

He told his players not to take any remarks personally. They didn’t.

Garrett offered a shout-out to his reliever. “Rob (Ewald) really played a great game,” much to the delight of his teammates.