Massapequa, NY – The Rebels began their journey through the 2011 Williamsport Tournament with a single step last night by defeating last year’s District 31 champion Massapequa Coast Cyclones, 6-2. The victory moves NBNM forward in the winner’s bracket where they can win the District in as few as three more games, while Coast drops into the losers bracket where they’ll need to win four games to get a shot at the winner’s bracket finalist.

The game began with a rocky start for the Rebels. After NBNM went down quietly in the first, Coast responded in their half with a few hits and Rebels starter Nick Valeriano found himself in a little trouble down 1-0 and the bags full of Cylcones. But with Nick bearing down and the Rebels defense on their toes, a force out at home and a ground out, both fielded by Alec Acri at second, minimized the damage.

By the third inning, Valeriano and the Rebels defense were sitting Cyclones down and the Rebels offense was getting a better gauge on Coast starter Chris Wasson’s fastball. Quality, pitch-consuming at-bats and timely base-knocks by NBNM saw them push three across in their half of the third and that would be all they’d need.

While the Cyclones went quietly, the Rebels posted one in the fourth, and two in the fifth to extend their lead.

Coast managed a one-out single in the sixth that they converted when the Rebels conceited the run in lieu of outs.

Coach Sam reiterated the tournament mentality after the game reminding his players that their approach needs to find them focusing on one play at a time, one pitch at a time, one at-bat at a time, one inning at a time, and one game at a time.

The Rebels next face Merrick-North Merrick at Merrick Road Park tomorrow night, 5:30pm.