MCC VS. RTR SECTION 3A LOSERS BRACKET FINAL

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, but what a ride it was watching this year’s Rebels baseball team play ball. A tough 5-4 loss would end their season on Tuesday night against RTR, but as always with this team, they were never out of the game and led at two different times. MCC got out to the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Derek Kluis hit a triple to the right center field gap and Christian Tentinger drove him in on a fielder’s choice ground out.

RTR answered back with some explosive hitting themselves, scoring 3 runs in the bottom half of the first, using three doubles and a triple to do their damage.

The score would stay at 3-1 until the top of the fifth as both starting pitchers, Abe Paulzine for the Rebels and Aidan Wichman for the Knights, settled in nicely.

Derek Kluis brought in a run on a Sacrifice Fly and Paulzine brought in a run on another fielder’s choice ground out. The Rebels tied the game, but were not done scoring yet. In a first and third situation the Rebels practiced often, Jaden Deacon was at first and Carter Benda was on third. Deacon took an extended lead, baiting the pitcher to throw over. He got what he wanted and put himself in a rundown. As that was ensuing, Benda would pick his time to strike from third and score the go ahead run. Deacon was also safe at second.

It looked like the Rebels were going to tack on more runs, when a long fly ball to left field was run down and caught by a diving catch from the centerfielder. A great play and a tough pill to swallow for the Rebels. But they had taken back the lead going into the bottom of the fifth at 4-3.

RTR countered by taking advantage of back to back walks to lead off the next inning. One of the runners scored on a sacrifice fly and the other scored on a passed ball, giving the Knights the lead back at 5-4.

Unfortunately, that would be the final score, as the Rebels had a runner advance to third base in the top of the seventh, but were not able to bring him home. What a great year for this team as they finished 15-4, Conference Champs, and third in the section.

A big thank you to the seniors. They had an unbelievable run and will be missed for a variety of reasons.

Jaden Deacon

Carter Benda