MCC BASEBALL TEAM UNDEFEATED WITH 5-0 SEASON START

April 9 MCC at HLOF

The Murray County Central Baseball team had their first week of two or more games after mother nature has wreaked havoc with the early portion of the season. Not surprising, but it doesn’t make things any easier for coaches or players. The Rebels were on the road for the first time this season playing at Heron Lake against the Coyotes of Heron Lake Okabena Fulda. The Rebels came out swinging and picked up their second win of the season.

The MCC Rebels took the early lead in the top of the first inning against the Coyotes. Teague Meyer drew a walk and Cayden Veldhuisen doubled putting the Rebels ahead 1-0 nine pitches into the game. Dugan Kluis reached base on an error and Veldhuisen scored, putting the Rebels ahead 2-0. Krew Schneider then connected on a two run home run to left field, making the score 4-0. The Rebels continued to add to their run total in the second inning. The Rebels drew four straight walks to open the inning, scoring a run. Krew Schneider hit a sac fly to center to plate the second run of the inning. Later, the Rebels would score on a stolen base and the Rebels led 7-0. MCC’s Danny Larson doubled to open the third inning. He then scored on a two run double by Teague Meyer. Krew Schneider plated a run with an RBI single later in the inning, as would Carson Lewis. The Rebels led 13-0 after three innings.

Dugan Kluis got the start for the Rebels on the mound and the junior had a solid game, picking up the win in three innings pitched. Kluis struck out six batters in three innings and didn’t walk a batter. He did allow two hits but no runs. Tristan Behrends and Cayden Veldhuisen each pitched an inning in relief with the only run for the Coyotes coming in the fifth inning off Veldhuisen. The Rebels would win in a 10 run rule game, ending after five innings 13-1.

The Rebels were led on the mound by Kluis who struck out 6 in three innings and didn’t walk anyone. At the plate, Krew Schneider was two for three with a home run and a single with 4 RBI’s. Danny Larson was 2 for 2 with a double. Teague Meyer was 1 for 1 in the game but drew 3 walks to go with his 2 RBI’s and 3 runs scored. The Coyotes were held to 2 hits, one each by Erdmann and Bell. Holden took the loss on the mounds for the Coyotes.

The Rebels had a quick turn around, as they would play Friday against Minneota.

April 10 Minneota at MCC

The MCC Rebel Baseball team was back at home on Friday on one of the best days for baseball so far this spring. There was no need to dodge snowflakes on Friday, it was 70 and gorgeous. The Rebels played host to the Minneota Vikings who made a strong run in last year’s Section 3A playoffs but have been trying to find their footing to open this season. The Rebels would get great pitching in this one and would use a good eye and base running to pick up a win.

The Rebels went the disond tance with the Vikings but the score wasn’t close in the end because of the Rebel pitching and defense. MCC’s Krew Schneider got the start and he allowed 2 hits and 2 walks in six innings, while striking out 7. Teague Meyer came in for the final inning and allowed a hit, but then struck out two, wrapping up the game. The Rebels defense was strong, committing just 1 error in the game.

The Rebels did not have a big day at the plate, finishing with 6 hits, three of which were doubles. The Rebel batters didn’t get cheated at the plate, though. They drew ten walks in the game, which put base runners on the field. The Rebels scored four runs in the second inning to open up the offense. Gabe Tentinger walked to open the game and stole second base. Carson Lewis struck out but the third strike was jobbed and Lewis got to first base as Tentinger advanced to third base. A wild pitch would score Tentinger from third base. Lewis and Danny Larson were on base for the Rebels with no outs. Tristan Behrends singled to center to make the score 2-0 in favor of the home team. Danny Larson and Behrends scored on an error at third on a stolen base to finish the offense for the Rebels. The Rebels would add a single run in the third inning and then 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cayden Veldhuisen drove in two runs in the game but with the Rebels scoring nine runs MCC had just 4 RBI’s in the game. The five other runs were scored on passed balls, wild pitches, or errors. The Rebels got the win 9-0.

Krew Schneider picked up his second win of the season on the mound for the Rebels. Tristan Behrends led the offense with two hits, including a double. Veldhuisen had a double and two RBI’s while walking twice. Gabe Tentinger walked twice and scored two runs. MCC’s bottom five in the order scored 7 of the teams 9 runs. It was a strong showing for the Rebels who will play three games this week.

April 13 MCC at RRC/WWG

The Murray County Central Rebel Baseball team was in Lamberton on Monday taking on the RRC/WWG Falcons in a Red Rock Conference matchup. The Rebels were 3-0 entering the game on Monday, while the Falcons were 3-1. Both teams were undefeated in the Red Rock Conference so far this year. The Rebels took control of this game early in a run rule shortened game.

The Rebels opened the game with a Teague Meyer double. An error on an infield fly ball put two runners on base for MCC. Krew Schneider singled to center, plating two runs. Gabe Tentinger got hit by a pitch and Carson Lewis singled, driving in Schneider for the Rebels’ third run of the game. Danny Larson grounded out, driving in the fourth run of the game. The Falcons responded with a hit by pitch, a pair of stolen bases and a fly ball by Jackson Jenniges to put a run on the board. That would be the final run of the game for the Falcons. Teague Meyer shut down the Falcons, allowing just 1 hit in five innings while striking out 11 batters. The Rebels scored two runs in the second and fourth innings before blowing up with 8 runs in the fifth inning. The Rebels got the win, 16-1.

MCC scored 16 runs on 10 hits and 7 Falcons walks and 4 errors. Cayden Veldhuisen, Krew Schneider, and Carson Lewis each had two hits in the game for the Rebels. Cayden Veldhuisen had a triple for the Rebels, while Lewis, Dugan Kluis, Gabe Tentinger, and Teague Meyer each had doubles. Krew Schneider had 3 RBI’s for the Rebels. Veldhuisen, Lewis, and Kluis drove in 2 runs each. It was a strong performance by the Rebels who will be back in action on Tuesday at home.

April 14 MLAC at MCC

The MCC Rebel Baseball team has been off to a terrific start, winning their first four games of the season. MCC has hit the ball well, but the pitching has been even better, allowing just 2 runs in the first four games of the season. If you allow a half-run a game, you are going to run a lot of games. The Rebels would lower that number on Tuesday against Mountain Lake Area Comfrey.

Dugan Kluis started for the Rebels and the junior was on his game. Kluis allowed 1 walk and 2 hits in seven innings of work. He struck out 10 hitters in the game while throwing just 78 pitches. It was a strong performance, in which he was very economical with his pitches very important in high school baseball in the times of the pitch count.

The Rebels came alive on offense in the second inning. Gabe Tentinger was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Tristan Behrands singled to center to score the Rebels first run. Carter Hanson walked Teague Meyer, who singled to third, bringing Behrands home and making the score 2-0. Dugan Kluis connected on a tworun single to left to put the Rebels ahead 4-0.

The Rebels scored one run in the third and then Cayden Veldhuisen singled in a run in the fourth just before Krew Schneider connected on his second home run of the season. The Rebels would go on to win 7-0.

The win for the Rebels was their third shutout of the season in five games. Tristan Behrands led the bats for the Rebels, connecting on three hits while driving in one run. Cayden Veldhuisen connected on two hits and an RBI. The Rebels out-hit the Wolverines 10-2. It was a strong win for the Rebels who remain undefeated on the season at 5-0.