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McKenzie Rebels Stunned in Semis

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The McKenzie Rebels baseball team made a run at the state title for baseball but was stopped in their tracks by the East Robertson Indians. The Rebels split with the Indians but were sent home after their 2-5 loss on Thursday, May 25 at the Spring Fling in the TSSAA State Tournaments.

The Rebels came out hot during the first game defeating the Indians 14-1. McKenzie took a 3-0 lead over the Indians during the first inning. Tate Surber reached on an error by East Robertson and Hayden Hixson and Ty Anderson crossed the plate. Surber tagged on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Renfro to score the Rebels’ third run.

The Indians were sat down in order during the top of the second. Hayden Garrett had two put out at second base and Jackson Cassidy had one throw from shortstop for an out.

The Rebels continued their scoring rampage during the bottom of the second. Jackson Cassidy rounded all four bases after he singled to left field. Surber reached on an error to score Hixson. The Rebels led 5-0 after the second inning.

The Indians scored their only run during the top of the fourth. Carson Craig hit a moonshot over the left-field fence for the only Indian run.

The Rebels added to their lead during the bottom of the inning. Jackson Cassidy and Hixson sat on first and second when Ty Anderson stepped into the box and ripped a double to right field to score both. Surber took one for the team and walked down the line. Jake Cassidy doubled up the middle to score two runs. Nolan Renfro singled to right field to score Cassidy. Jackson Cassidy stepped up to the plate again with the bases loaded. He singled to left field to score Braden Birmingham. Hixson singled up the middle to score Renfro and Garrett to put the Rebels ahead 13-1. Jackson Cassidy was the last Rebel to cross the plate when Surber singled to left field.

The Indians were sat down in order once again during the top of the fifth to conclude the game. The East Robertson Indians fell to the McKenzie Rebels 14-1 forcing the if necessary game in the tournament bracket.

The Rebels started off the second game with a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Jackson Cassidy sat on second base. Surber doubled to the outfield to score Cassidy.

The Indians were held scoreless until the bottom of the second. With bases loaded Mac Luckett singled to left field to score Gavin True. Kason Young singled to left field to score Cade Brooks and The Rebels scored one run in the top of the sixth. Hixson doubled up the middle. Ty Anderson singled to the right side to score Hixson. The Rebels trailed 3-2.

The Indians added two runs to their side of the board during the bottom of the sixth. Miller Cothron singled to right field to score Brooks. Craig singled to left field to score Young. The Indians led 5-2 going into the final inning.

The Rebels were sat down in order after a ground out and two fly outs.

The Rebels’ season came to a close after their loss to the Indians. Head Coach Chris Wall commented about the amazing ride this season was and how he will miss his five seniors next year.

“This has been a heck of a ride,” Wall said, “We have five seniors that have meant the world to this program since they got here. To have 25 or 26 wins and only been beaten eight times, you can’t consider that a failure. I told the team at the end that there is only one happy team when the season is over.”

The Rebels finished their season in the top three in the state, as district, region and sectional champions. Wall plans to make a run at state again next season.

“Just like every year, we are going to set it for three. We are going to win the district first. We are going to win the region second. Our ultimate goal after those two is to go get the state championship.”

The Rebels ended their season 27-8 overall and placing third in the state tournament.