GAME #3 FRIDAY, JUNE 12 MCC VS. SOUTH RIDGE

The MCC Rebels would play in the toughest game in any sport at the high school level in my opinion. The Rebels played the South Ridge Panthers in the 3rd place game at the state tournament. You might ask “What makes this the toughest game to play in?” The first thing is, you are playing the second game of the day and you are doing it just minutes or hours after you lost the most important game of your season and possibly career. The disappointment in not getting to the championship game is real. Not having much time to move on is hard to do. The Rebels came into the game 22-2 on the season and they would get a terrific pitching performance to pick up the 3rd place trophy.

Dugan Kluis started on the mound for the Rebels. The junior has spent almost the entire playoffs catching for the Rebels, as he didn’t have to pitch in the Section 3A playoffs. With just under a month between starts, Kluis would put together a strong performance, throwing six innings, giving up 6 walks, with just 4 base hits. Kluis scattered base runners throughout his six innings, but only allowed 4 runs, three of which were earned. Teague Meyer pitched the final inning for the save, not allowing a run. The Panthers scored single runs in the 5th and 7th innings with two runs coming in the 4th.

The Rebels’ offense totaled just 3 hits. Sometimes, to win games, you need some bounces to go your way. The Rebels got them. MCC scored their first four runs of the game in the fifth inning. Carson Lewis reached base on an error and after two outs, Gabe Tentinger got on base via error as well, with Lewis scoring. Carter Hanson would reach base on another error, drawing the game even at 2-2. Teague Meyer singled to center to put the Rebels ahead 3-2. Tristan Behrends got another single to left, plating the Rebels’ fourth run of the inning and putting MCC ahead 4-2. The Rebels would add to the score in the top of the sixth inning on a Danny Larson ground out to first, plating Carson Lewis. The Rebels would win the game 5-4, taking the 3rd place trophy.

It was the best Rebel finish in school history 23-2 overall with a 3rd place finish at the State Tournament. Tristan Behrends was named to the State Tournament Team for his three games worth of work. There are so many great memories for this team during a terrific season. The Rebels will lose key seniors including Teague Meyer, Cayden Veldhuisen, Gabe Tentinger, Carter Hanson, and Student Manager Max Miller. All will be missed heading into next season. The Rebels return a great deal of their starting lineup and pitching rotation, but will need young players to step up in key positions especially in the outfield next year.