Rebels Report Tournament!! Rebels vs. Challengers Sunday, May 16th (4:30 pm) W 2-1

Welcome to a special tournament edition of the "Rebels Report". The Rebels faced the Challengers in a repeat of yesterday's regular season-ending game. The Rebels came out on top of that contest, and all the Rebels players, coaches, and parents were hoping to duplicate the win. After an opening coin flip, the Rebels were declared the visiting team.

Allie led us off with a very hard smash to the second baseman. The fielder didn't have to move because it was hit right at her -- she picked it up and threw Allie out at first. Alyssa followed with a sharp single to left field, then stole on the very next pitch to Kaiti. Kaiti eventually fell on strikes and that brought up Ashley. Ashley got a nice little line drive to shortstop that barely fell in for a hit. Alyssa advanced to third but couldn't score. Lisa stepped in next. WHACK! -- the first pitch hit her. That loaded the bases with two outs. Up stepped Brittany to try and scratch across a run. After getting to a full count, Brittany eventually fell on strikes. So the Rebels didn't score (Rats!), but they did show that they could get some hits off the pitcher.

In the bottom of the first, Alyssa plunked the first two batters on just four pitches. She got a nice strikeout of the hard-hitting third batter, and the next batter got a bunt single to load the bases. OK, Alyssa time to bear down and get this batter! Uh oh. Alyssa misunderstood and actually "got" the batter, plunking her with the first pitch and bringing in a run. The situation is bases loaded with only one out. Gulp!! Alyssa bore down and struck out the next two batters to stop the very serious threat. It was 1-0, Challengers leading after one inning.

In the top of the second, Kristen led off with a little grounder up the first base line. The pitcher quickly grabbed it and tossed on to first for the out. Then Deneé and Mary Cameron went down swinging. OK, time to hold 'em! In the bottom of the second, the opening batter hit a soft line drive towards Allie at first base. The ball was dying fast, so Allie had to react quickly. She closed on the ball and squeezed it for the first out. Alyssa took care of the rest, striking out the final two batters.

On to the third inning. Kathryn started off with a nice bunt attempt, a fake bunt, a real bunt, ... does Coach Rodney know what he's doing? Kathryn eventually worked her way to face the coach pitcher, but she fell on strikes. That brought up Allie, who smacked a gorgeous line drive up the middle. Rats! The pitcher was right in the way, knocking the ball down and then throwing out Allie at first base. Come on Rebels! Time for a two-out rally! Alyssa stepped up and lifted a single over shortstop into left field. She stole second base to be in scoring position. Kaiti got a pep talk from Coach Rodney and then creamed a grounder to the shortstop. It was close at first, but the first baseman dropped the ball. Kaiti was safe and Alyssa scored the tying run! Ashley then hit a ground ball to pitcher and barely got nipped at first base. A two out rally ties the game 1-1!

In the bottom of the third, Alyssa got the Rebels in great shape by striking out the first two batters. Then the next Challenger batter hit a grounder to second base. Ashley smoothly picked it up and lofted a throw to Allie at first. Allie stretched and caught it -- no, she dropped it! Allie picked it up -- no, she dropped it again! One more time, Allie sticks with it and picks up the ball. She steps on the base as the batter arrives. The crowd holds its breath... OUT! calls the ump. Whew!

On to the top of the fourth inning. Let's see if we can manufacture a run! Lisa led off with a swinging strikeout. Brittany bravely stepped in to try and ignite a rally. She watched balls and strikes carefully, then faced the brutal Coach Bob. This time Brittany came out on top, singling and taking second on a wild throw. The go-ahead run is now at second base! Kristen tried to push across the run, but fell on strikes. Deneé then hit a grounder off the coach pitcher right to the second baseman. In the pivotal play of the game, Deneé streaked towards first as the second baseman tried to apply the tag herself. Deneé barely eluded the tag as Brittany scored! A final strikeout by Mary Cameron ended the Rebels fourth inning, but the Rebels take the lead 2-1 on yet another two out rally!!

The Challengers were not going to go down quietly. Two straight leadoff hits put the tying and winning runs on. Gulp! Alyssa got a timely strikeout. The next batter got an infield hit towards Kaiti (credit Brittany with a nice open-field tackle). That loaded the bases with only one out. Double gulp!! It was a repeat of the first inning situation. Could the Rebels hold on? Alyssa faced the opposing coach's daughter and in a classic confrontation, eventually struck her out after reaching a full count. Two outs now. Coach Rodney closes his eyes, unable to handle the pressure. Alyssa would not be denied. Strike one! Strike two! Strike three!! Game over!! Rebels win 2-1 in a incredibly tight game!

The Rebels were led to victory today by the leadership of Alyssa. She went 2-for-2, scored the first Rebels run, and had tons of strikeouts. Alyssa's four strikeouts with the bases loaded were exactly what the Rebels needed! Alyssa definitely deserved to be designated Homer's Hero today!

All right Rebels! We're in the winner's bracket. We play 'til we lose or until we win it all!

Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding