Rebels Report Rebels vs. Tigers Wednesday, May 5th (6:30 pm) L 8-4

Welcome to the special "birthday version" of the Rebels Report. Yes, today was Coach Rodney's birthday. I know it's hard to believe someone so dashing and athletic could be old enough to have a 10-year old daughter, but it's true! Apparently, the umpire got confused (this would happen many times tonight) – he thought the other coach's birthday was today. That must be why the ump kept giving the other team so many presents. On to the game report.

The Rebels got to bat first. Allie struck out for the first out of the game. Alyssa then ripped a hit down the first base line. She was safe at first and didn't even stop! She hustled into second and then on to third on the wild throw. Alas, we couldn't muster a run as Kaiti and Ashley went down swinging.

In the bottom of the first inning, the leadoff batter was grazed by Alyssa's first pitch and was awarded first base. The next batter followed with a hit. Then came a very weird play – the batter hit the ball, the ball hit the batter, the ump called "FOUL BALL!", the ball rolled into play, the ump changed his mind (HUH??), the girl was safe at first base, and a run scored. Coach Rodney politely tried to get clarification on the ump's call, but was rebuffed by the ump. OK, the ump made a bad call, and we gotta get over it! Another hit plated two more runs. Ouch! 3 runs in with nobody out! The inning ended better as Alyssa struck out two and Elizabeth made a sweet defensive play at second to toss out the runner. After one inning, the Rebels trailed 3-0.

In the second inning, Lisa led off. She squared to bunt and was hit by the first pitch. Lisa stole second base as Mary Cameron struck out. Brittany worked the count full and faced the awesome pitching force known as Coach Bob. Brittany responded with a hard hit grounder through the right side of the infield. It went to the outfield and Brittany hustled into second base. The ball was still loose! Coach Rodney waved Brittany into third base and (what the heck), go home!! Brittany caught her second wind and broke for home. SAFE!! A two-run in-the-park homer, with a little help from the Tiger defense! WOW! Now we've got a game! Deneé followed with a strikeout, which brought Kathryn to the plate. Coach Rodney flashed the bunt sign, so Kathryn squared around. The pitch was right down the middle and Kathryn laid down a gorgeous bunt about 2 feet in front of the plate!! Kathryn ran to first (SAFE!) and took second on the overthrow. Great bunt!! A strikeout ended the threat, but what a nice little comeback! The Rebels tighten the game 3-2.

Fortunately for the Rebels, the Tigers' second inning wasn't exciting. Alyssa struck out two and Allie made a tough catch of a fly ball in between first and second base!

On to the third with the Rebels down by a run. Can the Rebels come back? Of course – they've shown they can in other games!! Kristen led off with a nice bunt attempt (rolled foul) and then Coach Rodney had her swing away. The next pitch was inside and hit her on the hand. WHAT?? The ump ruled that was considered a foul ball. Coach Rodney begged to differ. Even though Coach Rodney felt the ump made a bad call (and Coach Rodney just checked the Internet to confirm that the ump was wrong -- the hands are not part of the bat), he knew that the ump was the man who controlled the game. Coach Rodney took the bad call with tremendous grace (ok, I saw Coach Rodney muttering under his breath in the dugout), but once again the Rebels had to deal with a tough call. Kristen eventually fell on strikes. Back to the top of the lineup. Allie smacked a huge triple to left field on a full count and Alyssa got an infield hit to the right side of the infield, scoring Allie and tying the game! Alyssa stole second while Kaiti went down on strikes. With two outs, Ashley came to the plate. First she worked the count to 2-2. Now Ashley is not one to watch a third strike!! She fouled off about 5 pitches off the girl pitcher before finally connecting. A smash single over the first baseman!! That scored the go-ahead run (Alyssa)! What a clutch hit! Ashley stole second and was in scoring position with two outs. Lisa eventually hit a grounder off the pitcher, unfortunately right at the first baseman for an easy out. But the Rebels take the lead 4-3, in spite of the umpire!

Once again, I am prevented from reporting the true facts of the bottom of the third inning. Coach Rodney is making me type that every Rebel caught everything hit to her and we made lots of wise throwing decisions, but somehow miraculously the Tigers scored 5 runs anyway. OK, Coach Rodney, I'll type it, but I don't think anyone's going to believe it! Those who saw the game might think differently. Yes, this was a big-time Tiger rally, helped by some spotty Rebel defense (but surprisingly, the ump wasn't involved). The Rebels went from being up by a run to being down by four runs (8-4).

That was certainly depressing, but the Rebels had one more chance in the top of the fourth inning. But I think the wind was out of the Rebels' sails. Although Deneé got a hit, three other Rebels struck out. Time had expired. Ballgame! Rebels fall 8-4 on a huge Tiger rally in the bottom of the third.

The Rebels certainly looked good at the plate tonight. It was probably the best all-around team hitting this year. Rebel defense wasn't as sharp as normal though. Big hits by the meat of the Tiger lineup broke the game open. Tonight there were several outstanding candidates for Homer's Hero . Elizabeth and Allie made nice defensive stops, Alyssa went 2-for-2, Kathryn laid down a perfect bunt, and Ashley drove in the go-ahead run. But tonight's Homer's Hero goes to Brittany, who made the game close in the second inning when she smashed an in-the-park homer! Way to step up, Brittany!

Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding