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Rebels Report Rebels vs. Crush W 7-3 |
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Rebels Report Rebels vs. Crush W 7-3 |
Tonight's game between the Rebels and the Crush was one for the history books! The Rebels and Crush set many records tonight while playing the longest game of the year. This exciting game recap may take a while, so grab some popcorn and sit for a spell.
The Rebels were the visiting team once again and wasted no time in demonstrating some high-powered offense. Allie led us off with a first-pitch big smash over the second baseman. She stole second to get into scoring position. Alyssa followed with a ground ball fielders choice to the second baseman. Alyssa got called out on a close play at first, but Allie scored and Alyssa got the RBI (run batted in)! Yea!! Kaiti followed with a pop-up to the shortstop. Ashley smacked a single to the left side of the infield and promptly stole second. With two outs and a runner in scoring position, Lisa stepped to the plate. Coach Dad, er, Coach Rodney, flashed the bunt signal. Lisa squared around and laid down an absolutely gorgeous bunt!! Ashley streaked around third and headed to home. Unfortunately, Ashley's run didn't count because the pitcher made a super play on the bunt and tossed Lisa out at first. But what a super bunt!! The first inning ends with the first five Rebels all making contact off the Crush pitcher! Rebels stake out a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, the Crush proved this would be no easy game. Three hits, including a monster line drive fly ball to left field (that Lisa hustled in to prevent a homerun), netted 3 runs. Alyssa struck out two batters and Deneé made a super play at second base to gun out a runner at first! Many Crush-ing hits by the Crush batters in the first inning, and the Rebels trailed 3-1.
In the top of the second, the Rebels bats were still cooking. But the Crush defense held firm. Mary Cameron made contact off the pitcher, but unfortunately hit a come-backer that the pitcher snagged for an easy out. Deneé followed with a grounder to second -- she also made a nice play to toss out Deneé. Brittany dug in but fell on strikes for the third out.
The Rebels demonstrated tough defense in the bottom of the second. Allie fielded a grounder up the first base line and applied the tag for the opening out. After a hit, the next batter lifted a high fly ball that drifted into foul territory near first base. Allie glided to the ball and used her entire body as a glove. That'll work!! For the third out, Alyssa promptly struck out the last batter on three pitches! Crush still leads the Rebels 3-1 after two innings.
In the third inning, no runs score. For the Rebels, Brittany, Kristen, and Kathryn went down on strikes. Huge Rebels defense in the bottom of the third prevented any damage by the top of the Crush lineup. Alyssa fielded the opening grounder and tossed on to Allie for the first out. The next batter hit a hard grounder towards shortstop. Kristen fielded it and came up throwing. It was a long throw to first because Kristen was playing a deep shortstop. But Kristen made an accurate throw and Allie scooped the ball out of the dirt. Big time play!! For the third straight inning, Alyssa struck out the final batter to snuff out any threat by the Crush.
On to the fourth inning with the game in the balance. Allie started off the attack with a first-pitch smash line drive to center field. Oh no!! The center fielder makes a sparkling play, catching the line drive and robbing Allie of an important hit! Alyssa struck out, so the Rebels were in a hole. Two outs, nobody on, trailing the Crush in the fourth inning. Have we seen this situation before? Yes, the very first game!! In that one, the Rebels pulled off a miraculous last-inning comeback to beat the Crush. Could the Rebels pull off the miracle again? Kaiti stepped up and got an infield hit. Kaiti stole second as Ashley stepped in. Ashley hit a grounder to the left side of the infield. Coach Rodney waved Kaiti around to score! And aggressive Ashley rounded hard and tried to leg it into second base. She drew an errant throw and Coach Rodney encouraged (ok, screamed) for Ashley to run to third. Coach Rodney was being aggressive, but it paid off big time, as the throw into third was wild. Ashley continued on to home! Tie game!! Yippee!! The inning wasn't over. Lisa got a nice double to left field. Mary Cameron followed with a dribbler towards shortstop. Coach Rodney was again "encouraging" his daughter to come to third -- and what the heck, let's get greedy! Coach Rodney waved Lisa around third with the ball still in the infield. The Crush couldn't believe it. They simply tossed to the ball to the catcher, who tagged out Lisa for the third out. But hey, the Rebels pulled a rabbit out of their hat and tied the game 3-3!! Alyssa made sure the Crush wouldn't do anything in the bottom of ther fourth because she struck out all three batters!!
The Rebels and the Crush were equal adversaries. The fifth inning showed how similar these teams were. The Rebels had an opening groundout to the pitcher (Deneé) and two strikeouts (Brittany and Elizabeth). The Crush had an opening groundout to the pitcher and two strikeouts. The score is still knotted 3-3 after 5 hard-fought innings.
Time has expired, so the Rebels go on to play International Tie-Breaker rules. One more inning!! Elizabeth is put on second base as the Rebels runner (that's the tiebreaker rules). Kristen and Kathryn try to move her up, but fall on strikes. The Rebels don't like anything easy. It's two outs again! Back to the top of the lineup. Can Allie do it to the Crush again (she tied the game with two outs in the opening game of the season)? Yea baby! Allie smacks a triple to right center field to score Elizabeth and break the tie! Alyssa followed with a triple herself (on an 0-2 pitch) to score Allie! Two straight triples!! Kaiti, however, was not fazed. She grabbed her bat and headed to the plate. I called her back to the dugout and gave her my hat. "Please be Major Homer for this at-bat", I said. She nodded and strode to the plate. She worked the count full and then lashed a screaming ground ball just inside the first base bag. Fair ball! Run Kaiti Run!! Coach Greg and Coach Rodney did not hesitate. Waving their arms like maniacs, they helped Kaiti around the bases. Coach Rodney was not throwing up a stop sign. Dig for home, Kaiti! SAFE!! Kaiti gets a Major Homer!! I knew it! I knew it! Kaiti caps off a 4-run outburst with a Major Homer!! The Rebels dugout went absolutely crazy and came out to congratulate Kaiti. Yipppeeeee!!! Ashley kept things going with another hit and then Lisa struck out.
It's time for one more defensive stand. Alyssa was definitely in a zone. Alyssa throws 3 strikeouts in the inning! No runs score. Rebels win 7-3 in a monster comeback!!
The Rebels really had their bats working tonight. The Rebels scored 6 of their 7 runs with clutch two-out hits!! As you read above, the entire Rebels team contributed tonight. But Coach Rodney found one player who really contributed big-time. Alyssa had two RBIs, struck out 12 batters in 6 innings, and fanned the last batter in every single inning. Wow!! Alyssa was tonight's well-deserved Homer's Hero !
Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding