Rebels Report Rebels vs. Wildcats Thursday, April 10th (12:00 pm) L 4-0

After posing for pictures early in the morning, the Rebels hit the field on a hot sunny day, with temperatures around 90 degrees. The Rebels looked a little out of sync, this being their 3rd game in 5 days, and with pictures in the morning, and probably no lunch, and it was real hot, and Coach Bob wasn't going to be at the game, and there was going to be a new coach pitcher, and Kristen was at a wedding.... "Hey Major! Stop making excuses!! Cut out the whining!!". Sorry, on to the game report. (but I had a bad feeling about the game...)

The Rebels started strong, with Alyssa striking out the first 2 Wildcat batters on full counts. The third batter launched a deep fly ball to left field, just over Kaiti's head. But Kaiti hustled to the ball, fired it to Brittany covering second base, preventing further damage. The cleanup hitter then smashed a line drive down the first base line. Allie picked it clean off the ground -- it wasn't a trapped ball, but Allie made the heads-up play and stepped on first anyway. In the bottom of the first, Allie cracked a ground ball to the second baseman, who barely nipped Allie at first base. After a swinging strikeout by Lisa, Alyssa flew out to first base. A quick 1-2-3 by the Rebels and the inning was over. On to the second inning with the score tied 0-0.

In the second inning, Allie got the first out with a nice stab of a fly ball by the leadoff hitter. A couple hits scored one Wildcat run. With a runner at second base in scoring position, the next batter smashed a ground ball to the hot corner - right at Kaiti. Kaiti fielded it clean and smartly turned to tag out the runner trying to hoof it to third base. Great play! A couple hit batsmen loaded the bases. Gulp! Fortunately, Alyssa came through again, striking out the batter with the bags full. Only one run scores! In the bottom of the second, Kaiti led off with a hit and stole second base. Then came a moment that will live in infamy... the beginning of a streak of strikeouts only matched by Coach Rodney's high school dating. Brittany, Kathryn, and Ashley led the strikeout parade. Two innings down, and the Rebels trailed 1-0.

In the third inning, three Wildcat hits produced 2 runs. The final out went from Deneé to Allie (actually past Allie), to Alyssa, and then on to Elizabeth at third base for the tag out. Good work, girls! In the bottom of the third, the Rebels strikeout conga line got longer as Mary Cameron, Elizabeth, and Deneé all fell on strikes.

The top of the fourth saw a few more Wildcat hits. The Rebels made a super play but things didn't quite work out. With a runner at second base, the batter tapped a soft grounder to Brittany at second base. Brittany flipped to Allie at first for the out (but it was a little late). Allie was paying attention and saw the runner streaking around third base. Allie fired home to Mary Cameron who applied the tag. It was a "bang bang" play, but the ump ruled that the run scored. Rats! Alyssa struck out the next two batters to give the Rebels one last chance.

Certainly this strikeout parade can't get any longer! Uh oh. Coach Rodney is now in to pitch as the coach pitcher. No offense Coach Rodney, but you're terrible! Coach Rodney proceeded to strike out Allie and even his own daughter, Lisa. For those of you scoring at home, that's 8 straight Rebels to strike out. Alyssa decided to end the streak once and for all. She made contact, but flew out to the shortstop. Game over. Rebels fall 4-0.

Today's Homer's Hero was easy to pick. Great hustle in the first inning, a super defensive play to tag out a runner in the second inning, and the only Rebel batter to get a hit -- that's Kaiti! Way to go Kaiti! Now everyone needs to rub Kaiti's head for luck, and we'll get it back next game!

Your faithful Rebel Reporter,
Major Homer K. Fielding