Centereach, NY; Yaphank, NY – The Rebels defeated the Suffolk County Strikers and the Longwood Lions in the ongoing Baseball Heaven Labor Day Championship Tournament today to improve to a perfect 3-0 after the first two days of pool play. North Bellmore North Merrick outscored their opponents 10-2 and 9-3, respectively.

The Rebels trailed at the start of both games but found a way to turn the tides and, ultimately, dominate the contests. They are now guaranteed a game on Monday in the semi-final play-offs.

Kevin 5 started the 10:00 game at Levitt Ballfield Park and held the Strikers scoreless over four innings with his overpowering fastball and excellent change-up. Mike 13 wrapped things up on the mound with a solid and gutsy performance.

Jack 8 was the starter in the Lions game that started at 12:46. He showed great command of both his pitches despite a couple of misplays by the defense behind him. Unfortunatley, he was forced to leave the game in the third inning due to soreness in his right elbow and is listed as day to day. Matt 7, in relief, pitched out of a jam in the third and threw no-hit ball in his three innings of work finishing with a 6-pitch sixth.

Both games today featured valuable contributions from every member of the Rebels. With the good pitching, there was some fine defense, timely and impressive hitting, and productive at-bats.

Alec 14 swung a red hot bat scorching balls and drving in runs in both games.

Nick 2 had two put-outs at the plate in the late game and continued hitting hard line drives to all fields.

Matt 11 threw out baserunners, drove a triple to deep right field in the first game, and had a clutch, 2-RBI single to right in the second

Eric 4 provided several hard hit balls including a key ground ball to the right side for a big run in the first game that helped the Rebels pull away. He also made made a nice play to snatch a low liner in left for the final out of the second game.

Billy 20, as he so often does, hit the ball hard, reached base and scored often. He provided solid defense at second base and in the outfield.

Matt 26, despite feeling under the weather early on, had an excellent day with the glove at third and at bat.

Kevin 38 continued his hard-hitting ways and even stole home in the early game due to his own great heads-up and hustle.

Tyler 1 hit the ball hard all day including a deep single in the left-centerfield gap and an even deeper home run that rattled off the left-centerfield fence.

Both wins were true team efforts.

The Rebels face The Long Island Inferno Black tomorrow, 2:00pm, at Baseball Heaven in the final pool game to determine the number 1 and 2 seeds for Monday’s play-offs.