Rebels reach 16-6 with three more wins, host Cozad Thursday

A McCook Rebels left fielder makes the stretching catch during Tuesday's home games against Western Nebraska Fire and Ice in McCook Tuesday evening. Fire and Ice was able to win both contests of this doubleheader for age 12-and-under softball teams.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCook's 18-and-under Rebels were blazing through a hot weekend with tournament wins over Crete, Waverly and Cornerstone during their most recent fast-pitch softball action.

The Rebels (16-6 record overall) are home for two Thursday night games against Cozad at McCook's Jaycees Complex. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

On Friday, the Rebels ripped 15 hits and none was bigger than Malia HIlker's grand slam during a 14-11 win over Waverly Heat.

Hilker also singled twice while driving home six Rebels runs — just enough to offset one seven-RBI effort from Waverley's leadoff batter.

Dani Johnson singled, doubled, scored twice and batted in another two for the victorious Rebels.

Lacyn Keller finished three for three to match a Rebel-best three hits from Hilker.

Roslyn Wiemers doubled, singled and totaled three RBIs. Riley Morgan scored three runs while Paige Bortner added two hits and two more Rebel runs.

The Rebels prevailed despite giving 11 walks to Waverly batters.

Morgan struck out three during her 3 1/3 innings in the circle.

Rebels 9, Crete Diamonds 5

Coach Lance Gillen's Rebels unleashed a seven-run inning later on Friday then fought off Crete's final comeback.

Hilker and Johnson teamed for five RBIs.

Johnson tripled as she sent two teammates dashing across home plate. Hilker doubled to go with three RBIs.

Syndey Hodgson sizzled two more hits and Brooklynn Gillen scored twice.

The Rebels led 9-2 until a final three-run Crete comeback try. Morgan finished her four-inning complete game, though, permitting just one official hit and striking out seven.

Rebels 7, Cornerstone Stampede 6

McCook shook off a 4-0 start and eventually broke the 6-6 tie on Sydney Hodgson's "walk-off" game-winning single Saturday.

The Rebels trailed 6-5 until Briley Morgan walked to start that final inning. Dani Johnson sent a sizzler that the Cornerstone pitcher somehow caught.

No problem. Brooklynn Gillen soon singled only to see Malia Hilker into a fielder's choice as Morgan was forced out at third.

Yet the Rebels refused to make that final out.

Gillen scored on Roslynn Wiemers' game-tying single before Paige Bortner walked.

Megan Miller ran for Wiemers and took second on passed ball.

Hodgson soon sent a fly ball dropping into center and Miller scored that decisive seventh Rebels run.

Danika Havlicek pitched all six innings, allowing three earned runs with two walks and five strikeouts.

Havoc Huele 6, Rebels 4

The Rebels could never quite overcome a 3-0 Heule first inning though they drilled four doubles.

Keller, Bortner, Wiemers and Gillen delivered those extra-base hits.

Gillen totaled two hits while scoring two runs. Hodgson added two RBIs on two hits in three at-bats.

Bortner added a single for two hits. Lacyn Keller pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

Sensations 14, Rebels 4

Cambridge grad Bailee Ahlemeyer's base hit ignited a 10-run Sensations first inning.

The Rebels closed within 12-4 as Hilker doubled and drove home two runs.

Hodgson went two-for-twon on a McCook team that only totaled five hits.

Havlicek pitched 3 2/3 innings for the Rebels.