The countdown of the top ten stories of the 2020-21 school year for Pleasantville takes us to the baseball diamond where an unsung hero came through in a crucial playoff game.

In the substrate semifinal July 17, Pleasantville travelled to West Marshall for a matchup known as the Trojan War. Pleasantville was coming off upsetting Des Moines Christian in the quarterfinal and were looking to ride the momentum into the semifinal. Pleasantville got off to a slow start, trailing 3-1 through three innings. One consistent threat at the plate throughout the day was sophomore catcher Jonah Schumacher.

Schumacher singled and scored in the third inning, providing Pleasantville’s only run through five innings. Schumacher also provided hits in the first, fifth, and sixth innings for his team. However, what he will be known for would be what he did in the sixth. After Ben Wicks tied the game with a 2-RBI hit, Schumacher stepped up to the plate and ripped the go-ahead single, scoring Wicks and giving Pleasantville the 4-3 win. Coach Sheldon Card emphasized how important playoff baseball is with unknowns like Schumacher stepping up when his name was called.

The win advanced Pleasantville to the substate final, where they ultimately lost to Centerville. However, Schumacher’s coming out party shows the Trojans have a bright future with Schumacher behind the plate.

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