Rebels down Lakers in heated affair
Posted May 27, 2009
The Ryley Rebels came out of Tofield last night with there first win of the year, downing the Lakers 6-3, dropping the Lakers to 0-4 while improving the Rebels to 1-3.
Corey Epp got the nod as he threw 4.0 strong innings, only giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, no walks and 7 strikeouts. Dylan Solbergcame in to the game, and eventually won, as he went 3.0 innings, with 1 run, no walks and 3 strikeouts. Epp was relieved after working out of trouble in the 4th inning which saw Tofield score 2 runs on 3 singles and a hit batter.
The Rebels offense started out slow as they only score 1 run in the first 4 innings as veteran RHP Ken Parent held them at bay however they were able to chase Parent in the top of the 5th inning. Josh Lyons, making his Rebels debut, reached on an error at short, followed by Corey Epp laying down his second bunt of the game which saw Lyons advance to second. Darcy Grandbergcame though ripping a double and cashing in Lyons from second base. Dylan Solberg then traded places with Grandberg after hitting what looked like a sure home run until the breeze came in off of Highway 14 and knocked it back in. Parent was then relieved by young RHP Marcel Lesoway, as the Rebels led 3-2.
Tofield got to Solberg in the bottom of the 6th after the lead off man, Josh Banack, was awarded first after being hit in the fingers/hand. Two bunt singles eventually cashed Banack in bringing the game to a 3-3 tie and the Lakers were looking for more but a veteran play by 1B Grandberg, saw a bang-bang play at home that resulted in the Tofield Laker being out and a run saved. The very next batter for the Lakers saw a run down at third occur, and the threat was over.
The top of the 7th saw the Rebel bats once again come to life against Lesoway. Corey Epp began the inning by walking, and Grandberg moved him over to 2B with a nice sacrifice bunt. Dylan Solberg was then hit by a pitch for the second time in the game, and Kris Kushnerick brought them both in with an RBI double to the gap, and was eventually brought in himself by 2B Kyle Reinholt.
In the end the Rebels were able to notch 9 hits, however Tofield also committed a total of 9 errors which led to a lot of Rebel runners being stranded on the base paths, 11 to be exact. The positive was the contribution that the Rebels saw from 1 to 9 in the order, and specifically the middle of the line up. They did what they are paid to do, bring in runs and get on base. The 2 through 5 hitters (Darcy Grandberg, Dylan Solberg, Kris Kushnerick and Kyle Reinholt) were a combined 7 for 13 with 5 runs scored, 5 RBI, 3 doubles, and were on base 13 out of a possible 16 at bats. “We played some great small ball with some timely bunts to move guys over, and I think that is going to come in handy come the playoff push” said Grandberg, as the Rebels produced 3 sacrifice bunts/hits, all of which led directly to runs scored.
The Rebels look to continue the winning ways Thursday against the Leduc Milleteers. A game which should see the debut of both Curtis Stensrude and Dustin Solberg for the Rebels. “I think we will put a lefty (Grandberg) on the mound for that game, but nothing has officially been decided yet” said Epp after the game.
As the skies in the distance began to light up, so did tempers in the top of the 6th inning. C Matt Starky was called out at second during a steal even though it looked like he was able to hook around the swipe attempt. Later in the inning with runners at first and second Josh Lyons hit into what was a called an inning ending double play, however many of the Rebels and the fans thought both were safe. Words were exchanged between benches regarding the possibility of having a base ump.
Things just got worse from there. The lead off Tofield Laker in the bottom of the 6th inning, Josh Banack was hit in the fingers/hand by Dylan Solberg. Banack, who took offense to the pitch, began to have words with Solberg has he made his way to first base. The umpire then issued a warning to the Ryley Rebels bench and to pitcher Dylan Solberg (who, at this point, has already been hit by a pitch and will get hit again in the top of the 7th inning).
No players were willing to comment on the incident following the game, possibly worried about being fined by the league for comments regarding the lack of a base umpire.
Posted by Kris Kushnerick on May 27, 2009
