The Rebels get the win using a big second inning to take control over MLAC. The six run inning would be half the runs the Rebels would produce in the 12-2 win in five innings.
Abe Paulzine pitched a gem and had the breaking ball locked in. The right hander pitched a complete game, allowing only 3 hits, two runs (neither earned) struck out 11 and did not walk a batter.
MLAC had a brief lead, scoring one in the first inning after a fielding error in left field turned a single into an extra base hit. A single to center field would follow and another fielding error allowed the runner to score easily from second base and the hitter to reach second.
Paulzine ended up striking out the next three batters, with one reaching on a swing and miss strike three passed ball, but a ground out to Gavin Gillette at shortstop ended the inning.
MCC tied the game in the top of the second as a Jaden Deacon walk and stolen base led to an RBI single by Dylan Kluis. The Rebels loaded the bases a couple of batters later with Tanner Graphenteen, Krew Schneider, and Dylan Kluis. A Derek Kluis walk scored the second run of the inning. This would bring Christian Tentinger to the plate. The dangerous righty went with the pitch and line shot to the right center field gap to clear the bases with a triple. He would later score on a wild pitch.
The Rebels cruised through the bottom of the second with three Paulzine strikeouts. One swinging and two looking.
Jaden Deacon led off the top of the third with another walk. Connor DeGreeff followed with a hit by pitch and a Dylan Kluis ground ball to the right side of the infield would get the job done and advance both runners. Krew Schneider walked to fill the bases and on the following pitch, Jaden Deacon scored on a wild pitch. Tanner Graphenteen then walked to refill the bases before Carter Benda hit a ground ball in the infield, scoring DeGreeff from third. Krew Schneider would score on a Derek Kluis single to put the Rebels up 9-1.
The bottom of the third inning went quickly as MLAC went down 1,2,3. The top of the fourth would see the Rebels do the same.
After three strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth, MLAC was still be at the plate. as one of them was a dropped third strike. The MLAC runner eventually scored, giving the Wolverines their second and last run of the game. Paulzine struck out another batter, his fourth of the inning, to end it.
The Rebels tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth before shutting the door on the game in the bottom of the fifth with a double play.
