Homer-ripping Rebels take district tourney title

McCook Rebels hoist a district championship victory while reaching 25 wins for the season Thursday.

Courtesy photo

The McCook Rebels ripped six home runs and reached 25 wins this season along with a a Class C district softball championship Thursday.

McCook’s 14-and-under team featured Malia Hilker hitting her first home run over a fence in an 8-2 championship game victory over Prodigy Bearkiller/Moorhead.

Paige Bortner had achieved that same over-the-fence success while the Rebels knocked off North Platte Heat, 7-2.

Bortner would belt three more homers and Brooklyn Gillen also went deep for the 25-3 Rebels team.

“And there were a lot of other girls that came so close to adding to those,” Rebels coaches remarked.

The Rebels actually dropped their first title game, 6-2, to Prodigy Bear Killer/Moorhead but had another chance in this double-elimination tournament.

“After losing, the girls game back on fire and never let up,” Rebels coaches added. “Bats came alive, defense was great and our pitchers did awesome. They played extremely well, just very proud of our girls.”

A champion team photo will appear on mccookgazette.com today.

The entire Rebels lineup consists of Lacyn Keller, Bailee Fawver, Danika Havlicek, Briley Morgan, Dani Johnson, Sydney Hodgson, Roslyn Wiemers, Megan Miller, Bortner, Hilker and Gillen.

Rebels coaches are Lance Gillen, Tom Wiemers and Kelsey Gillen.

The Rebels continued their season with another touranment at Great Bend, Kan., last weekend.

Watch for results in upcoming editions of the Gazette.

McCook's annual Firecracker Tournament is set for June 26-27 at the Jaycees Complex.