EDGERTON — The Murray County Central Rebels earned a dominant 15-4 seven inning victory over undefeated Red Rock Conference opponent Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian.
“It was a big conference game today. We had the lone loss in conference play and they came in undefeated. Overall we played very well. We put the ball in play and put pressure on them. That was a good thing,” said MCC assistant coach Paul Counter.
MCC senior Carter Benda started the game with a leadoff double for the visiting Rebels. Benda converted from an outfielder to catcher this season and has grown better in the role with each game.
Benda moved to third and Derek Kluis hit a sacrifice fly which scored him for an early MCC lead.
“I just get up to the plate and try to be aggressive right away,” said Benda on his approach to the plate. “First fastball down the middle, swung at it (and got a) double down the left field line, and I just wanted to get the team started.”
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Benda had a good day both behind the plate and in the batter’s box, as he reached base in four of his five plate appearances. He had three walks and a double. Benda scored a run and led to three other runs through stolen bases before being replaced by a courtesy runner.
Skyler Feikema was the starting pitcher from E/SWC. Abe Paulzine started on the bump for the Rebels.
The Flying Dutchmen and the Rebels faced a strong wind that kept catchers Benda and E/SWC’s Blake Schultz on high alert.
“It was pretty windy today. It kept the ball moving when you are catching and I try to keep the runners on as best as possible,” said Benda. He starred on the MCC football team as a running back and was asked by The Globe about any similarities between the two positions.
“The most similarity would be taking the hit when you are a running back; when you have to block a ball you take that ball. You just gotta be tough behind the plate,” said Benda.
The Rebels scored eight runs on passed balls. Benda did a good job of preventing E/SWC from taking additional bases on passed balls.
E/SWC's lone run from base running came late on an errant throw from home to third to try and catch a stealing Kade Moffitt. The other three runs were scored by their bats.
But the MCC aggressive approach to the base path kept runners in constant scoring position in their half of the inning.
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“We have kind of had that mentality all year that we want to be aggressive on the base path. We have good team speed and especially on a day like today where the wind is blowing 25-30 miles per hour you just never know what is going to happen,” said Counter. ”We want to put pressure on them all the time but especially on a day like today. We use the hustle chart and I am pretty sure they are all on it after today. I would like to think that makes a difference and it seems to be working out for us.”
MCC scored eight runs through RBIs, including two apiece by Derek Kluis and Jaden Deacon.
Christian Tentinger was hit by a pitch three times in the game. Tanner Graphenteen had two hits. Mason Wendland had an RBI double late in the game. Connor DeGreeff scored two runs and had an RBI single.
The Rebels also knocked Feikema out of the game early. He was pulled after three innings, he allowed five earned runs, two hits and four walks. Feikema struck out six.
Feikema was replaced by Josh Van Dam who pitched three innings. He allowed nine earned runs, eight hits and five walks.
Paulzine pitched a gem of a game for the Rebels. He pitched a no-hitter through the first four innings before Caden Sas slashed an RBI single to break it up in the bottom of the fifth. Paulzine pitched five and one-third innings. He allowed three hits, two earned runs, four walks and struck out nine.
Dylan Kluis pitched the final five outs for MCC. He allowed two walks and struck out all five outs.
Derek Kluis had a Derek Jeter-esque backhand play at shortstop in the sixth inning to save a hit.
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“He has got a lot of confidence in himself and he takes charge. That is very important for our success,” said Counter on his shortstop.
E/SWC scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to make the game score 6-2. But MCC was prompt in tightening their hold on the score by spotting seven runs in the top of the sixth.
E/SWC scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to avoid losing by the 10-run rule.
MCC batted through their order in the third and sixth inning.
“It is just contagious — if you get a couple good at-bats put together it just seems like it continues through the lineup,” said Counter. “We had two really long innings and I think it was not always a timely hit but our aggressive base running got some extra runs and helped us extend the lead later in the game.”
The Rebels are now at the halfway point in conference play and are in very good standing. Their only loss was to Red Rock Central/Westbrook Walnut Grove on a one-hit game by W-WG senior Dan Kleven.
“We just need to keep building on what we have done already and just continue to get better so come playoff time we are ready to roll,” said Counter.
MCC hosts Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda on Thursday for a second matchup between the two teams.
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MCC 104 107 3 – 16 12 3
E/SWC 000 022 0 – 4 3 2
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