Following Bridgeport High School’s May 26 commencement, Joplin Kehrer stopped off at City Park. The spot had become special to the 2018 graduate several years ago when a tree was planted in memory of Bonn Kehrer, who died in May of 2007 at the age of 7. It had been nearly 11 years ago to the day when her twin brother died from complications of a birth defect.

 

Even at that young age, Bonnheim David Kehrer was passionate about sports, especially baseball. He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan and he played CBall through Bridgeport Little League. Several of his teammates advanced through the leagues – all the way to the Indian baseball team. They were seniors on this year’s four-time West Virginia Class AA championship team and were facing a chance to make it five.

“5” happened to be Bonn’s jersey number when he played CBall under his dad Albert’s coaching. Following the season when Bonn passed, the entire team wore No. 5 as a tribute to their teammate, recalls Cooper Hineman. The following season, Cooper asked if he could wear the number - and with the exception of his sophomore year at BHS - he has sported No. 5 during each of the past 11 seasons.

 

Because of a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery, Cooper didn’t get to play during the 2018 regular season, but he was back in the lineup in the post-season, including Saturday’s Class AA championship game against Wayne, played at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston.

 

The Tribe – as the Indians are affectionally called by their community and other fans – found themselves down 7-3 early in the game. Five innings – and two rain delays later – Bridgeport put “the drive for five” into high gear, scoring a massive nine runs in the sixth and ultimately winning 17-15 over the Pioneers.

 

Each of the Indians contributed to the win, including No. 5 Cooper Hineman, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs - driving in the game-tying and winning runs - and named to the Class AA all-tournament team.

 

Stacey and Albert Kehrer were there to witness it all.

 

"We could feel something special was going to happen when Cooper got up to bat in the sixth inning," Stacey said. "It was almost surreal that he knocked in the tying and winning runs. It gives me chills just thinking about it."

 

Cooper thanked Al and Stacey for coming to the game.

 

"But it is us who thank him for wearing No. 5 all these years for Bonn," Stacey said. "For him to wear No. 5 in Bonn's memory has meant more to us than he will ever know. Just knowing that Bonn is not forgotten by Cooper or the other senior boys that he played with helps us so much."

 

Cooper said it has been his honor. He is pumped about the win - all five of them - but he said baseball is about more than athleticism, skill and even victories. The number on his jersey is proof.

 

“It’s just to remind me that baseball is more than just a game,” he said. “I take pride in wearing 5.”

 

It’s that kind of heart that the Kehrer family has looked for in athletes over the past 10 years. Each year, the family awards the Bonn Kehrer Sportsmanship Award to a Bridgeport Little Leager who exemplifies such spirit.*

 

In her brother’s honor, Joplin has served as a buddy for Bridgeport Little League’s Challenger division for several years. She also served as an ambassador for March of Dimes, as drum major for the BHS Band and has participated in a myriad of athletic, academic and extracurricular activities. Just after walking across the graduation stage to receive her high school diploma, she shared it all with Bonn in her own special way. By leaving behind her graduation rose and cap tassel, she symbolized that he – as well as the lessons and memories he has inspired – certainly have not been.

 

*Read about the Bonn Kehrer Sportsmanship Award HERE.

 

Read a complete recap of Saturday's state Class AA championship game, written by Jeff Toquinto, HERE.