Hustle game: Rebels top Arrows 15-8
Apr. 15—SLAYTON — Murray County Central's high-flying offense kept its form on Friday night in a 15-8 victory over Big South Conference opponent Pipestone Area.
The Rebels have scored 49 runs in their past two games.
On the mound for the Rebels was senior Abe Paulzine. On the mound for the Arrows was Kellen Johnson. Both pitchers made it through the first without allowing a run, but the potential pitcher's duel fell apart in the bottom of the second when the Rebels spotted six runs.
The Rebels lineup collected 12 hits and 12 walks. Connor DeGreeff went 4-for-4 from the plate with three RBIs and a walk.
"I give credit to our seniors here. They really took it upon themselves to lead by example in the gym early in the year," said MCC head coach Nate Wieneke on early season offensive success. "I credit our guys, everybody one through nine is putting the ball in play and when you do that it puts pressure on the defense and anything can happen."
Derek Kluis batted second for MCC and had three hits and four RBIs. Kluis missed last year's baseball season with a leg injury.
"Last year we had a good run but Derek just brings more to us than what people realize," said Wieneke on his shortstop. "He has waited 500 and something days to play baseball again. Baseball is his true love and he's a machine, he has hit the gate running here — offensively, defensively and pitching. He is a ball player."
Wieneke styles himself as an old-fashioned coach. When Minnesota State High School League's baseball regulations changed to allow players to wear chains, he was initially against the decision. However he came up with a solution that has benefited the Rebels — the hustle chart.
"If you do certain things like stealing bases, or do something to be aggressive on the bases, or you drive somebody in — you get a point," said Wieneke. "That system has motivated these guys to be aggressive, offensively — hitting and on the base path."
MCC players can wear chains if they earn enough points on the team's hustle chart.
But, MCC's hustle plays do not end with offense — they also carry over to defense.
Tanner Graphenteen cut off a screaming hit in left field to turn a would-be double into a single, and catcher Carter Benda ended the second inning by picking off an Arrows runner who strayed too far from first. The Rebels hustle is a fixture of the team.
"These guys love playing with each other. They are a fun group to be around for the most part," said Wieneke with a smile. "They just feed off of each other. You see that one guy gets a hit, then hitting is contagious. No one on this team wants to make an out — they feel like they let everyone down that way and it is kind of nice to have."
Paulzine had a down pitching outing, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings. But he was excellent from the plate with a double and a two-run home run after a Benda triple. Paulzine had two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.
Krew Schneider started at third base for the Rebels and took four walks in four plate appearances.
Dylan Kluis pitched the final three innings in relief. He struck out the first six batters faced. Kluis worked himself out of a jam in the final inning, after he walked two and gave up two runs on a Merrick Heidebrink double.
Heidebrink had two hits and a run scored. Quist had two hits and three RBIs. Jackson Melcher scored two hits and two RBIs.
The Rebels' next game is on Monday at home against a tough Red Rock Conference opponent, Red Rock Central. The Falcons are combined with Westbrook-Walnut Grove and it will be a tough matchup for the red-hot Rebels.
Pipestone Area 002 400 2 — 8 8 1
MCC 064 401 X — 15 12 1
