REBEL BASEBALL

Thursday, May 16 MCC vs RTR

The MCC Rebel Baseball team had their final road game of the season on Thursday afternoon when they traveled to play the RTR Knights. The Rebels were 11-2 on the season entering the game, with three games to play in the regular season. RTR has been hot, winning four straight games heading into the matchup with the Rebels. MCC beat RTR earlier this year 3-2 in Slayton. RTR would get some revenge on Thursday.

RTR and MCC have squared off the last several years in some big games, whether it be nonconference games or playoff games, and now Red Rock Conference games. The Knights have been a thorn in the Rebels’ side in a couple of sports. Thursday, the Rebels fell behind early in the game, but rallied to take the lead in the third inning. MCC started the third with a double by Gavin Gillette and a double by Teague Meyer to put runners on second and third with no outs. The Rebel’s first run scored on a single by Aidan Dierks. The second run scored on a Krew Schneider single that brought Teague Meyer in from third. The Rebels didn’t score again until the top of the 6th inning. Owen Gillette and Dugan Kluis singled to open the inning and Cayden Veldhuisen walked, to load the bases. The Rebels scored on a passed ball and the other runners on base moved to second and third. Teague Meyer doubled and the Rebels were back ahead 5 to 2. The Rebels didn’t score another run in the game.

Teague Meyer got the start for the Rebels on the mound and the Rebel sophomore pitched a tough game. The Knights managed single runs in the 1st and 5th innings, but trailed the Rebels 5 to 2. The Knights broke loose in the 6th inning, as they scored 3 runs in the inning to tie the game. The inning started with a triple and a single to score the first run. The Knights had two singles and a popout to load the bases with one out. Meyer got a big strikeout for the second out, but a single up the middle tied the game at 5-5. RTR would get the win in the bottom of the 7th. Cayden Vedhuisen came into the game to relieve Meyer and got a strikeout on the first hitter. A single was followed by a walk and then a long fly ball resulted in the game-winning run scoring on a single. MCC lost 6-5.

Teague Meyer got the nodecision in the game, pitching 6 innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 8. Cayden Veldhuisen took the loss, allowing 1 run on two hits with a strikeout. Teague Meyer had two hits and 2 RBIs in the game. Aidan Dierks had two hits and an RBI. The Rebels starting lineup was very involved in the game, as 8 of the 9 hitters had one hit or more. The Rebels would be right back in action on Friday.

Thursday, May 17 MCC vs Adrian Area

The MCC Rebels, on Friday, played host to the Adrian Area Dragons. MCC was coming off just their third loss of the season and was looking to bounce back against their conference rival. With both teams playing for section seeding, each game counts, especially in a sub-section, log-jammed with similar records. MCC would get the offense going in what would be a big blowout win.

Krew Schneider made the start for the Rebels and he got help from Cayden Veldhuisen. As the Rebels offense put runs on the board, MCC was able to spread out their pitches. Schneider allowed 4 runs in the first three and a third innings, walking 3 and hitting 3, while allowing two hits. Schneider did strike out 4. Veldhuisen struck out all 5 outs he recorded. Veldhuisen allowed 1 hit and 1 walk, but didn’t surrender a run. It was a strong bounce back for Veldhuisen, who has had a couple of tough performances.

MCC’s offense gave the pitching staff a huge boost on Friday, as they took it to the Dragons. The Rebels were able to draw 7 walks and 1 hit batter in just five innings. MCC combined for 12 hits, with Teague Meyer, Krew Schneider, and Dugan Kluis combining for 8 of the 12 hits. Carson Lewis and Owen Gillette had triples and Schneider had a double among his three hits. Lewis and Schneider drove in three runs each, while Cayden Veldhuisen scored 3 runs, while walking 3 times. MCC scored three runs in the first inning to take the lead. They added a run in the second before scoring 7 in the third and 5 in the fourth. MCC got the win in a ten-run rule game, 16 to 4 The MCC Rebels picked up their 12th win of the season on Friday. They will need one more on Monday when they play the RRC/WWG Falcons. The Rebels are in the hunt for the top seed in the Subsection-3A South playoffs. They are also in the hunt for the Red Rock Conference championship. The Rebels have had a strong season. On Monday, they will play one of their toughest games of the season and that will lead to the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday, which the Rebels hope will be in Slayton.

Tuesday, May 20 MCC vs RRC/WWG

The MCC Rebel Baseball team played their final game of the regular season on Monday in Slayton. The Rebels played host to RRC/WWG in a Red Rock Conference matchup. With a win, the Rebels would tie for the Red Rock Conference Title. The Rebels were also battling for the top seed in the Subsection tournament that begins on Saturday. The Rebels looked good early in this game, but in the end, the Falcons had the big hits to get the win.

Dylan Kluis made the start for the Rebels and got through the first two innings without giving up a run, but in the third inning, the Falcons came alive for 5 runs. Kluis walked the first two batters before an error loaded the bases. After a strikeout, another walk brought in a run. A hit batter brought in another and then a double put the Falcons ahead. Teague Meyer came into the game to pitch and he got the Rebels out of trouble. The Falcons put another five runs on the scoreboard in the 5th inning and added another run in the 7th.

The MCC offense started strong, as MCC scored two runs in the first and second innings. The Falcons added three more runs in the 5th inning. MCC failed to score after their big 4 run inning in the 4th and the Falcons were throwing strikes, so not many easy options to score. The Falcons beat the Rebels 11 to 7.

Teague Meyer took the loss in relief for the Rebels, as he threw 4.1 innings while giving up 6 earned runs. Meyer struck out 4 batters but the Falcons hit some bloops before a Grandslam from Therkelsen. Krew Schneider and Dugan Kluis had two hits each with Kluis driving in 4 runners. The loss would cost the Rebels a part of the Red Rock Conference title and we will see who they play in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday.