FW Rebels' Jace Franke scores a run vs Dallas Nationals White.

The FW Rebels knew there would be some rust to knock off as they played their first 14U tournament the weekend of 9/26-9/27.  Weather made it difficult to get in as many workouts as they had hoped plus the majority of the team is playing other sports right now.  Still, there were some good signs and learning experiences they will grow from as they move forward.

Game 1 was against Impact Baseball Mercer and the Rebels fell 12-2 but the score wasn't indicative of the game.  Neither team swung the bats very well but the Rebels walked 7 batters and hit 2 others and what was a close 2-2 game in the 3rd got away from them.  Wyatt Baccus made a solid Rebels debut on the hill pitching two innings allowing 1 hit, 1 walk and striking out 3.  Brady Franz allowed 4 runs in his 2 innings of work but only 2 were earned as he battled footing issues on the slick mound.  At the plate, Evan Smith & Brady Franz both had run scoring singles.

Game 2 was a little more like Rebels baseball with an impressive 9-6 victory over the Warriors.  Brady Franz and Quentin Enos both had 2-run doubles in a six-run third inning.  Wyatt Baccus went 3-3 at the plate as well.  The Rebels were very aggressive with 9 stolen bases in the game.  Evan Smith, Charger Nguyen, and Jace Franke pitched well.  Smith was outstanding going 2 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 4 and walking none.  Franke closed things down striking out 2 of the 4 batters he faced and Brady Franz made a highlight reel play at third.

FW Rebels Head Coach Mark Swindell discusses strategy with Charger Nguyen & Jace Franke in the 3rd inning of the Rebels 8-7 loss.

Game 3 had a script that couldn't be written and gives us another example of what a great game Baseball is.  The Rebels faced Dallas Nationals White and were the home team.  Evan Smith started on the mound and pitched around a couple of hits in the first inning to shut the Nationals down.  The Rebels scored two in the bottom of the 1st, both coming in on wild pitches as Jace Franke & Quentin Enos scored runs.  The Rebels left the bases loaded in the first but it was unfortunate as Coleman Peck ripped a ball down the first base line that the Nationals 1st baseman made a terrific play on saving 2-3 runs.  The Nationals tied things up in the top half of the 2nd inning.  In the bottom half, Evan Swindell, Christopher Calabrese, and Jace Franke all reached to fill the bases with none out.  However, the three of them were left stranded as probably the fastest Rebel, Evan Smith hit a ball right up the middle where for some reason the Nationals shortstop was playing there for an easy double play. Smith tired somewhat in the 3rd and the Nationals took a 5-2 lead.  The Rebels fought right back however.  Quentin Enos led off with a single to left.  Wyatt Baccus was hit by a pitch and Brady Franz followed with what looked to be a 3-Run Home Run that hit the top of the left field fence.  Charlie Rusk clutched up and laced a line drive single to left to score two runs to make it 5-4.  Coleman Peck then hit a hard hit ball to 3rd to score Franz and then Rusk raced around to score when the 3rd baseman threw the ball away.  Once again the Rebels would fill the bases as Calabrese walked and Franke singled, but for the 3rd inning in a row, the Rebels left the bases loaded.  With a 7-5 lead, the Rebels turned to Jace Frankewho struck out 2 and was aided by an amazing diving catch in center field from Evan Smith. The game was 7-5 heading to the bottom of the 4th and the game time was running down.  Still, the Rebels were unable to extend the inning and the umpire proclaimed there were 20 seconds left when the final out was made.  So we went to the 5th inning and Franke began his 2nd inning of work. Franke walked 4 and struck out 2 to make the score 7-6 with the bases loaded and 2 outs.  Unfortunately the Rebels defense let him down as a 2-out error gave the Nationals an 8-7 lead.  Still, the Rebels were the home team and with one out Evan Swindell reached on catcher's interference.  With two down, and Swindell on second, Jace Franke ripped a grounder right up the middle that more than likely would have tied the game at 8.  Instead, the ball hit the field umpire in the ankle, making it a dead ball....Franke awarded 1st, and Swindell had to go back to 2nd.  That's where the threat ended as the Rebels left 12 men on base in just 5 innings.

Tournament Highlights

Jace Franke hit .375 and pitched a very solid 3 innings with 6 strikeouts

Charger Nguyen had a single and was hit by a pitch, on the mound he stuck out 3 in 2 innings.

Evan Smith pitched 5 innings and got the win Saturday. Had a couple of singles and didnt strike out at the plate

Quentin Enos was active.  Q hit .667 and walked twice.  He also stole 3 bases, scored 5 runs and drove in 2

Wyatt Baccus was sensational at Catcher and threw a would be basestealer out at 3rd. Also hit .571 with 3 runs scored.

Brady Franz hit .429 and led the team with 4 RBI.  Missed a HR by inches and had a booming double Saturday

Charlie Rusk hit .333 scored twice, knocked in 3 and stole 2 bases with a .500 on base percentage

Coleman Peck played solidly at 2nd base and had a clutch RBI Sunday to give the Rebels the go-ahead run

Evan Swindell was 3rd on the team with a .571 on base percentage with a hit and three walks.

Christopher Calabrese had a .429 on base percentage.