Rebels Report Rebels vs. Tigers Thursday, April 15th (12:00 pm) W 4-0

On a beautiful crisp Spring evening, the Rebels and the Tigers met to play a fierce game. Coach Rodney has tremendous respect for the Tigers -- last year he was the Tigers head coach and created a grand Tiger tradition (http://www.redstone-tech.com/tigers). The most famous of Coach Rodney's tigers, Tigger, said hello to me before the game and wished us luck.

The Rebels hit the field first. Allie started the tough Rebel defensive stand by scooping up the opening hit off the leadoff batter and tagging first base. Then Alyssa buzzed a couple strikeouts past the next two batters. In the bottom of the first, Allie led off with a hit and stole second base. Alyssa smacked a hit to put runners on the corners. Another stolen base put two runners in scoring position. "Ducks on the pond!" I called (it's an old saying that describes when runners are in scoring position). Kaiti responded with a line-drive single just off the second baseman's glove. Two runs scored on the play! Yea! Kaiti stole second base to keep the rally alive. But Lisa and Ashley fell on strikes -- the first inning ended with the Rebels up 2-0!

In the second inning, the tough Rebel defense did a repeat of the first inning. Allie handled the opening ground ball to first base, and Alyssa struck out the next two batters. In the bottom of the second, after an opening strikeout, Mary Cameron strode to the plate. After working the count to a full count, Mary Cameron clubbed a long double to left field! Deneé followed with a hit towards third base. Mary Cameron hustled into third base and boogied home when the throw went towards first base! Deneé took second on the errant throw. The rally fell short as Elizabeth and Kathryn fell on swinging strikes. The score was 3-0 after two innings.

Going to the third inning, Alyssa was working on a no-hitter. The leadoff batter absolutely killed a ground ball in the hole between shortstop and third base. Brittany was playing shortstop and quickly snagged the ground ball. And because the hitter was also a quick runner, Brittany had to come up firing. And she did, humming a perfect strike to Allie at first base!! OUT! Major fielding!! Probably the sweetest defensive play this year!! And the perfect game, no-hitter was still intact. Alyssa got another strikeout. Then the next Tiger batter smacked a grounder to second. Kathryn knocked it down and barehanded it. From her knees, she spun towards first base and fired. The throw was just barely wide...the Tigers finally get a baserunner. Alyssa got one more strikeout to end the threat.

In the bottom of the third inning, Allie and Kristen struck out swinging. In between, Alyssa fought off 4 foul balls before crushing a triple to left field! Kaiti stepped to the plate, with two RBIs already notched in her bat. With the fielders expecting a hard hit ball, Kaiti simply dribbled it down the third base line. Alyssa scored (sliding into home plate for extra style points) and Kaiti went to second. A final strikeout by Lisa on a tough call ended the Rebels third inning. The Rebels headed to the fourth inning leading 4-0.

The Tigers were down to their last chance. Two strikeouts off the coach pitcher, plus an infield hit, gave the Tigers one baserunner with the tough-hitting 3rd hitter at the plate. Alyssa struck her out before, but Coach Rodney knew she could hit it hard. Alyssa bore down, worked it to a full count, and then STEEEEE-RIKE!! Batter's out! Game over!! Rebels win 4-0!!

What a super bounce-back after last game's loss!! Several Rebels really had highlight games. Alyssa threw a 2-hitter, had 2 hits, and scored 2 runs! Kaiti went 2-for-2 and had 3 of our 4 RBIs. But tonight's Homer's Hero definitely goes to the defensive player of the game. Brittany's super defense to stop a screaming grounder and to gun the girl out at first was fantastic!! She kept a no-hitter alive and brought the crowd to life!! Way to go Brittany!!

Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding