Major Homer K. Fielding Rebels Report

Rebels vs. Mischief
Wednesday, April 21st (6:30pm)

L 6-1


The Rebels and Mischief faced off in another tight pitching battle on a windy Wednesday evening.

The Rebels came to bat first, facing the hard-chunking Melanie. Melanie had her game tonight, striking out Allie and Alyssa to start the game. As is usual with Ashley facing hard-throwing pitchers, she smacked the ball off the pitcher. Too bad she hit a come-backer right to the pitcher, and got put out at first.

In the bottom of the first, the first Mischief batter struck out. A single and a stolen base put a runner in scoring position. In a game like this, we needed to stop *every* run. The third batter was the hard-hitting pitcher. She smacked one right to Kristen at shortstop. Kristen gloved it quickly and ran down the advancing runner. Tag play!! Runner is OUT! Kristen snuffs out a first inning scoring threat to keep the Rebels locked in a scoreless duel!! Alyssa strikes out the cleanup hitter to end the first inning. The score is still tied 0-0.

In the second inning, Kaiti led off with a single off the pitcher. Then she stole second base! Here was the Rebels' first scoring threat (ruinner on second with no outs). Kristen, Lisa, and Mary Cameron each tried to bring the runner home, but fell on strikes. In the bottom of the second, the leadoff batter lifted a foul ball high down the fist base line. Allie smoothly drifted under it and squeezed it for the first out. A couple hits netted one run. With a runner in scoring position, the batter cracked a grounder to second base. Deneé smothered it, and tossed to Allie at first. The toss was a little high -- Allie had to sky to pull it in. Out! On to the third inning with the Rebels trailing 1-0.

In the third inning, Kathryn dug in against the heat-firing pitcher. The pitch was way inside and hit Kathryn on the thigh. That hurt!! Kathryn limps down to first base. Everyone thinks she's a little hurt. But on the next pitch, Kathryn turns on the afterburners to steal second base! We are now looking at the Rebels' second scoring threat (runner on second with nobody out). Deneé, Elizabeth, and Brittany tried to push the run across, but each fell on strikes. In the bottom of the third, the Mischief pulled out their big bats. They scored 5 runs on a ton of hits. Allie put in a cameo appearance as the Rebels relief pitcher.

On to the Rebels' last chance. For the third straight inning, the Rebels got the leadoff runner on, with Allie smacking a hard grounder down the third base line. Then she stole second base. This was the Rebels' third straight scoring threat. But Alyssa struck out and Ashley flew out, which brought Kaiti to the plate with two outs. Let's dig down and see if we can scratch out a run! Kaiti swung and hit the first pitch, a line drive off the shortstop's glove. Coach Rodney had Allie running hard, and she scored! Thank goodness we didn't have a shutout. But the next batter struck out and the game was over. Rebels fall 6-1.

The huge third inning blew open a tight game. But the Rebels were tough in the first couple innings. And tonight's Homer's Hero goes to Kristen, who made the huge defensive stop in the first inning. A smart, hustling play kept the game scoreless and gave the Rebels a chance. Good job, Kristen!!

Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding