REBEL BASEBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPS

MCC ran out to a five run lead in the third inning and held on for a 5-3 victory over section opponent TMB.

In the first inning, MCC would take the lead off an Abe Paulzine double, scoring Christian Tentinger. The Rebels would leave the bases loaded in the inning.

The two teams would trade 1-2-3 halves of innings until the bottom of the third when the Rebels ignited for three more runs. Paulzine again doubled, scoring Tentinger. After Jaden Deacon advanced Paulzine to third and reached on an error, Connor DeGreeff, also known as the RBI machine, drove Paulzine in with a single. Dylan Kluis would follow that up with a single and drive in Deacon. De-Greeff would later score in the inning as the Panthers picked off Dylan Kluis, but DeGreeff took advantage and scored on the same play.

An infield error would lead to the Panthers first run of the game in the top of the fourth. As the batter took advantage and stole second, scoring on a single to the outfield.

Neither team would mount any threats until the top of the sixth when TMB led off the inning with a double and a single to score their second run of the game. The Panthers got their third run of the game after a wild pitch moved the TMB runner into scoring position and was driven in on the next at-bat with a single.

Aidan Dierks pinch hit and delivered with a single in the bottom of the sixth, but that would be all the offense in the bottom half of the inning. Which led to the top of the seventh and the Rebels looking to close out another victory at home.

Dylan Kluis was in relief of Abe Paulzine to finish the ball game and earn the save. He would get the Panthers to ground out, fly out, they would earn a walk, before another fly out to end the ball game.

Abe Paulzine would earn the win, pitching five innings, giving up five hits, one walk, striking out three and giving up zero earned runs. Dylan Kluis would earn the save in two innings of work, giving up three hits, two runs, walked one, and struck out one.

Christian Tentinger and Abe Paulzine would lead the offense with two hits a piece. Paulzine would also have two RBI, Connor DeGreeff and Dylan Kluis would each pick up an RBI as well.

MCC finished the year with an 11-2 mark and will start their playoff push Saturday, May 27th. Who and where they play is to be determined.

Mason Wendland

Carter Benda