Rebels Report Rebels vs. Challengers Saturday, May 15th (9:00 am) W 5-3

The Rebels ended their regular season today, facing the highly-regarded Challengers. As usual, I (Major Homer K. Fielding) will be filing this report. This may be my last game report, unless Coach Rodney wants me back for the tournament.

The Rebels were the visiting team today. Allie was our leadoff hitter. Allie worked the count full, got a pitch from her dad, and hit a slow roller to the pitcher. It was close at first, but Allie was out. Alyssa then cracked a two-bagger down the third base line and hustled into third on a wild throw. Kaiti stepped in to try and drive in some runs. But the pitcher wasn't going to let her have a chance -- WHACK! -- Kaiti gets hit by the pitch and takes first base. Kaiti then stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. Ashley was up next. Ashley faced this same situation in the game against the Blast earlier this season (first inning, one out, Alyssa on third, Kaiti on second). In that game, Ashley smacked a grounder to second, getting thrown out herself, but scoring both runners. Coach Rodney thought that would be an excellent thing to do this game too! So Ashley obliged, hitting a grounder to second base, getting herself thrown out, and scoring both runners! Not too original, but it's still just as pretty!! Lisa followed with a grounder to second as well for the third out. The Rebels led 2-0 going to the bottom of the first.

In the bottom of the first, the Challengers sent up some tough hitters. It was going to be important for the Rebels to control them today. Alyssa (plus the Challengers coach) struck out the first batter. The next batter hit a ground ball in the hole between first and second base. Deneé dashed to her left, threw the glove down, and picked the ball clean. That was the hard part. The easy part was tossing to Allie at first for the out. No problem! The last batter cracked a grounder right to Alyssa. A simple throw to first and the Challengers went down 1-2-3.

In the top of the second, two Rebels struck out. Then Kathryn came to the plate. A couple bunt attempts and then some good judgment worked the count full. Coach Bob came in to pitch and Kathryn smacked it up the first base line. The pitcher made a nice play, just nipping Kathryn at first. On to the bottom of the second, with the Rebels nursing a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, the Challengers cleanup hitter led off. Alyssa whacked her with the first pitch to put her on. She stole second to get in scoring position. With nobody out, the next batter creamed a ball to shortstop. Brittany knocked it down, picked it up with her bare hand, and spun to throw to first. "No! No!", Coach Rodney thought, expecting there to be no way to get an out. But Brittany came up gunning. A perfect strike to first base registered an important out! Man, that girl has an arm!! Allie smartly looked to home as the runner rounded third base. Mary Cameron was ready to receive the throw and to apply a tag for the double play. Alas, it was not meant to be, as the throw was off the mark and the runner scored. Another couple hits netted one more run. And Alyssa struck out two batters to end the threat. The game was knotted 2-2 after two innings.

Deneé led off the third inning with an infield hit, and she advanced to second on the wild throw. Kristen and Elizabeth went down swinging. Back to the top of the order with two outs... Allie wasted no time, smacking a fly ball triple to left field on the first pitch! That drove in the go-ahead run! Then Alyssa got grazed by a pitch and subsequently stole second base. OK, Kaiti! Ducks on the pond!! And Kaiti responded, zinging the first pitch into right field. Allie and Alyssa both scored! And Coach Rodney turned into a basecoaching maniac (I know, who could tell the difference?). He waved Kaiti into third when the ball was loose in the infield. Too bad the Challengers pitcher picked up the loose ball and tagged out Kaiti (and then tagged her out again after dropping the ball!). Oh well. But what a super 3-run rally with two outs! Now we gotta hold 'em!!

In the Challengers' third inning, the first batter got a hit, and the next two batters fell on strikes. With a runner in scoring position, the batter laid down a bunt just barely in front of the plate. Alyssa (pitcher) and Lisa (3rd base) had no chance to make the play. Mary Cameron leapt to her feet from behind the plate. She picked up the ball and... "No! No!", thought Coach Rodney, expecting there to be no way to get the out. Fortunately, Mary Cameron wasn't listening to Coach Rodney's thoughts. She made the long throw to first base. Allie stretched for the throw... OUT!!! Big time defensive play! Major Fielding comes through for the Rebels again! On to the fourth inning with the Rebels in front 5-2 !

Not too much exciting to report in the Rebels fourth inning. Ashley led off with a laser beam down the first base line, but the first baseman made the putout. The next two Rebels fell on strikes. Now, all we need is more defensive stand. One more time for Major Fielding! The first Challenger batter was a strong hitter. And she lifted the first pitch to dead center field. What will it be? a double? a triple? maybe a homerun? Lisa had other ideas. Lisa was playing a pretty deep center field. But she charged in and caught the fly ball on the dead run! Can you believe it? That was AMAZING!!! The crowd went wild (even scaring Kaiti's baby brother), the coaches screamed their joy, and the whole Rebels team went out to congratulate Lisa. That's why I am the mascot for this team -- the Rebels always come up with Major Fielding when they need it!! Just two more outs are all we need. The Challengers mounted a small rally, scoring one run. But Alyssa struck out two batters, including the last of the game. Game over!! Rebels win 5 to 3! Rebels win their last game of the regular season in grand style!

Once again, Coach Rodney had to break his tradition of having only one player of the game. Because of their outstanding defensive stops in crucial situations, Mary Cameron and Lisa are today's Homer's Heroes. They really made some plays that would be on the league highlight film. Way to step up Lisa and Mary Cameron!!

Now we're on to the tournament, riding a huge wave of momentum!!

Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding