Rebels Report Rebels vs. Blast Saturday, April 24th (4:30 pm) W 2-1

I now know why Coach Rodney has very little hair. He keeps pulling it out as he tries to coach all these close softball games!! In another classic game, the Rebels faced the undefeated Blast team in a late Saturday afternoon game.

The Rebels were the visiting team and had the first opportunity to score. Allie led off against another of Coach Rodney's previous pitchers, Marissa. She and Allie faced off, with Marissa striking out Allie to start the game. Alyssa followed with a single and a stolen base. Kaiti got a hit to move Alyssa up a base and then promptly stole second. Two runners in scoring position with one out. Ducks on the pond!! The Rebels have had this situation in recent games and haven't quite been able to get that clutch hit. Ashley stepped to the plate to try and change things. Ashley worked the count full and took her chances off Coach Bob. Coach Bob tossed a gorgeous pitch, and Ashley smashed it to the right side of the infield. The second baseman apparently made a nice play to throw out Ashley. But Coach Rodney wasn't paying attention. He was sending both Alyssa and Kaiti home. Two runs score!! What a big-time clutch hit!! A strikeout ended the Rebels first inning. But what an inning! Two runs score!!

Just before the Blast had their opportunity to bat, Coach Rodney took me aside. He said, "Major Fielding, we are going to need your support today." I agreed -- the Rebels were definitely going to need Major Fielding more than ever today! In the bottom of the first, the leadoff hitter dribbled one down the first base line. Allie gloved it and applied the tag for the easy out. The next batter struck out. After a hit, there was a runner in scoring position with two outs. Alyssa took care of the next out herself, a popup to the mound. Tough defense!! The Rebels led 2-0 after one inning.

In the top of the second, the Rebels (Mary Cameron, Kristen, and Deneé) went down swinging. In the bottom of the second, an opening hit and stolen base put another Blast threat in place. Alyssa made sure nothing materialized, because she struck out the next two batters. And just for grins, the final batter struck out off the coach pitcher.

On to the exciting third inning... The Rebels (Elizabeth, Brittany, and Kathryn) struck out. And Alyssa struck out the side in the bottom of the third! OK, I guess it wasn't as exciting as I thought. The Rebels still led 2-0 though.

In the fourth inning, the Rebels were back at the top of their lineup. But it wasn't much different, with Allie and Alyssa going down on strikes. Kaiti came to the plate. Coach Rodney went up to her and encouraged her (ok, maybe he told her she better get a hit or get cold water poured on her -- ha!ha! just kidding... Coach Rodney isn't that creative). Anyway, Kaiti watched the first pitch. Then she absolutely tagged a line drive screamer to right field. The stands went wild as Coach Greg and Coach Rodney were yelling "Go! Go!". Kaiti tore around first and cruised into second. Coach Rodney almost suffered cardiac arrest as he waved Kaiti into third and almost into home. Good Blast defense prevented what would have been the first Rebels homerun of the season. And yes, that would have definitely been called a Major Homer!! Too bad the next batter struck out. Kaiti was stranded at third base. But you have to admit, it was a darn pretty hit by Kaiti.

In the bottom of the fourth, an opening hit and stolen base by the leadoff Blast hitter resulted in another scoring threat. A strikeout by Alyssa was the first out. The next batter lifted a fly ball down the first base line. Kaiti closed on the ball and caught the popfly for the second out. Aggressive Rebel defense to get the runner resulted in a run scoring (ok,ok...the truth is we threw the ball around, the runner scored, and the Blast team was very thankful). Alyssa got another strikeout to end the fourth. The Rebels still led 2-1.

There was still time for one more inning. The Rebels couldn't mount a threat, so it was on to the last defensive stand. We gotta hold em!! An opening strikeout by Alyssa and a caught fly ball by Alyssa put the situation at two out, nobody on. Alyssa got the count to 2-2 and then .... STEEEEEE-RIKE!! Alyssa strikes out the last batter! Game over. Rebels win a nail-biter 2-1!!

Coach Rodney had a tough time with tonight's player of the game. Alyssa had an obviously wonderful game, striking out 9 batters herself!! But Coach Rodney made a tough call. He went with Ashley, whose clutch hit in the first inning drove in the only 2 Rebels scores. Yippee!! Ashley definitely was an important Homer's Hero in a very close game. And everyone should note once again that the Rebels just beat the previously-unbeaten Blast team. A huge Rebels win to break a 3-game losing skid!

Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding