MCC REBEL SOFTBALL OPENS ON THE ROAD WITH A WIN

The MCC Rebel Softball team opened their season with a tough road game at Ellsworth against the Dragons of Adrian Ellsworth. The Dragons are led by a young core of players and will pose a test to all teams in the Red Rock Conference. The Rebels, on the other hand, are a more veteran squad led by six returning starters from last year’s team. The Rebels came out quickly in this game, on their way to a season opening win.

The Rebels in the field are led by Thea Schneider who has been the Rebels ace in the circle over the last three seasons and the senior was again solid for the Rebels. Schneider struck out eight hitters in the game, while only walking one hitter. Adrian Ellsworth scored 6 runs in the game, with half being unearned. The big hit in the game was from Brekkyn Dreesen who blasted a two-run homerun in the bottom of the seventh inning which would be the final two runs of the game for the Adrian Ellsworth Dragons. Emmi Peltola threw out a runner at 3rd base in a key defensive play for the Rebels. Reese Wajer did a nice job at second base in her first varsity start.

The Rebels jumped out to a 7 to 1 lead over the first three innings of the game. Kate Blankenship hit a hard single to right field and ran around the bases after an error in right field. Elyse Paulzine hit a double for the Rebels and scored on a Taylor Larson hard grounder through the second baseman. Larson scored on an error by the Dragon left fielder that allowed not only a run to score, but Ava Deacon to advance to third base. Peltola doubled to right center to score Deacon, but she was thrown out at third base to end the second inning with the Rebels up 4-1. The Rebels scored three runs in the third inning with walks and welltimed outs by MCC that would plate runs. MCC added one more run on a sacrifice fly by Calleigh Doeden in the 6th inning to plate Peltola. The Rebels got the win 8-6.

MCC was led by Emmi Peltola who had a pair of doubles and a walk with 1 RBI and run scored. Elyse Paulzine had two hits and was hit by a pitch with a run scored. Kate Blankenship and Thea Schneider each had hits for the Rebels in the win. MCC will play host to the MLAC Wolverines on Thursday in Slayton at 4:30 pm.

up 2 hits. Kluis struck out 6 batters to end any Dragon threat. With the Rebels up 12 to 0, the Rebels turned to Cayden Veldhuisen to pitch the fifth inning. He would have his struggles, walking 1 while allowing 3 hits and 4 earned runs. MCC next turned to Teague Meyer who pitched an inning and two thirds to finish the game for the Rebels.

The Rebels are now 2-0 to open the season and 1-0 in the Red Rock Conference. Teague Meyer had a big day for the Rebels as he went 3 for 4 at the plate with 4 RBI’s, and 2 runs scored. Gavin Gillette, Dylan Kluis, Gabe Tentinger, and Cayden Veldhuisen got two hits each in the win. Veldhuisen and Tentinger combined for 5 runs scored in the game. In fact the Rebels 1,2,8, and 9 hitters combined for 9 runs scored, showing the strength at the top of the order but also, the ability for the bottom of the order to get on base. The Rebels will play Mountain Lake Area Comfrey on the road on Thursday afternoon.

Reese Wajer

Teague Meyer

Dugan Kluis