The MCC Rebels were in Edgerton on Tuesday to take on the Tracy Milroy Balaton Panthers to begin the Section 3A tournament. The Panthers beat the Rebels two weeks ago which helped them secure the 4th seed in the playoffs with the Rebels taking the 5th seed. The first game was a two-run contest that went back and forth so most expected the second matchup to be similar and it was a close game.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard first when Grace Dolan hit a home run to right field with no one on base. The Panthers would add two more runs in the second inning after an error at second base led to the first base runner of the inning with one out Amber Hensch hot a two-run home run to right field to make the score 3-0. The Panthers would score the fourth run in the third inning on a hit batter and an error followed by a ground out. The Panthers would get just two more base runners the rest of the game but they would fail to score.
The Rebels struggled to score in this game. MCC would get runners on base in 6 of the 7 innings of this game. The Rebels only had one hit in the game and that game was in the third inning by Atalie Rosenbrook. The Rebels put the ball in play the Panthers fielded the ball well most of the game but in the end, the Rebels couldn’t find the grass. The Rebels’ lone run would come with two outs in the 7th inning on a pair of errors. The Rebels got another runner as far as third base before the final out was recorded on a pop out to the catcher. The Rebels would fall 4-2 to end their season.
The Rebels finished the season with a 9-9 record. The Rebels will only graduate two players this spring Sophie Larson and Karli Heezen which means 16 players will return next season. The Rebels featured a young starting lineup this season with hard work in the offseason the roster should take a major step up. Increased opportunities to play in the offseason should also help this Rebel team in the future.
