McCook Rebels 14 and under squad wins state prep title; Next up: State tournament

Diane Ruppert The McCook Rebels 14 and under girls fastpitch softball team captured the McCook Rebels State Prep Tournament for the 14 and under division. Front, from left: Megan Rokusek, Rachel Goltl, Jenna Smith. Second: Megan Ruppert, Marisa Esch, Brittany Broomfield, Riley Allen, Kaylee Samway. Back: coach Joel Smith, Rachel Leitner, Hollie Eiler, coach Brian Esch, Madison Chitwood, coach Darrin Samway.

The McCook Rebels 14 and under fastpitch softball team won the championship last weekend at the Rebels State Prep Tournament.

The Rebels went 3-1-1 for the weekend.

In pool play on Saturday, the Rebels tied the North Platte Sensations team 0-0.

Kaylee Samway had two strikeouts and four walks.

Madison Chitwood, Megan Ruppert, Hollie Eiler, Marisa Esch and Kaylee Samway all had singles.

In the second pool play game, the McCook 14's won 3-0 over Lexington Storm. Jenna Smith struck out four and walked one.

Megan Rokusek had a triple, Ruppert had a double and a single with a RBI, Smith had three singles and an RBI, Madison Chitwood had two singles and a RBI and Rachel Leitner had a single.

On Sunday, the 14 and under Rebels started off slowly with a loss to the Lexington Storm 6-1.

Samway struck out three and walked none. Ruppert had two singles and an RBI, Chitwood had a single with an RBI and Smith, Rokusek, Esch and Leitner all had singles.

In the second game in tournament play, McCook came back with a 2-1 win over the North Platte Sensations.

This was the first victory for the Rebels over the Sensations this year.

Jenna Smith struck out five and walked none. Smith, Brittany Broomfield and Samway each had a double and two singles.

Broomfield also had an RBI, Chitwood and Ruppert each had two singles, Esch had a single and a sacrifice hit and Riley Allen had two sacrifice bunts.

In the championship game, the Rebels played a tough game against the Lexington Storm.

McCook was down 1-0 until the seventh inning. McCook came out on top this time with a score of 2-1.

Samway struck out six and walked two. Samway and Leitner each had a single and an RBI. Eiler and Esch each had a single.

Coaches Darrin Samway, Brian Esch and Joel Smith said they were very proud of the girls for not giving up and playing very tough defense this weekend.

The next action for the Rebels is this weekend at the state tournament in Hastings.