Announcement
Rebels Stay In NJBL Play-off Hunt
Ronkonoma, NY – Today the Rebels beat the SYAG Braves 5-3 in NJBL play at Smith Road Field. The win keeps the Rebels in the hunt for a play-off spot.
The pitchers today had to manage with a very tight strike zone but persevered and succeeded nonetheless. The combination of Mike 13, Matt 7, and Alec 14 scattered some hits but did not allow SYAG to have a big inning. In spite of the ‘squeezing’ that went on, the Rebels pitchers were right around the plate most of the day and threw a multitude of strikes. Coach Sam told the three, "That’s just what I needed from you guys".
The defense behind them was excellent — sometimes, superb.
In the bottom of the third inning, a Braves player hit a ground ball fairly hard to the third base side. The ball sped beyond an outstretched Matt 7 and raced deep into the hole at short. Jack 8 backhanded it cleanly near the outfield grass, set his back foot, and fired it across the diamond to Nick 2 at first, who stretched to a full split, catching the ball and beating the batter by half a step. It was an unbelievable play in 9-year-old baseball.
Much of the defense chipped in with fine plays.
Outfielders Tyler 1 and Eric 4 made nice catches and Billy 20 cut-off a deep drive in the gap and started a quick relay that held the hitter to a double.
Behind the plate, Matt 11 was the ever-present backstop and steal deterrent. Nick 2, involved in another great play, this one in the bottom of the sixth, ‘busted it’ to grab a pop-up in foul territory outside the Braves dugout for a huge out.
The middle infield was great. In addition to Jack’s many terrific assists today, Alec displayed his glove work with several assists of his own, a sweet play saving a put-out at second base on a short-hopped throw from third, and taking care of infield flies on the right side.
The offense produced when necessary including Alec’s clutch, bases-clearing triple to drive in three big runs in the third. There were several hits throughout the lineup and even more good at-bats including Kevin 38 driving a ball to deep left in the third and hitting a hard smash to short in the fifth.
It was truly a great team effort.
The NJBL schedule continues at Newbridge Road School tomorrow night, Wednesday July 29, 5:30pm, when the Rebels take on LI Inferno in one 9-inning game worth two in the standings.