McCook teams in state fast-pitch softball tournaments

Several McCook girls fast-pitch softball teams will compete in ASA ae-group state tournament action this weekend at various sites around the Cornhusker State.

The McCook Rebels will be one of 15 teams vying for top honors at the Class B 18-Under state meet at North Platte July 2-4. The Rebels, comprised of many members of the McCook High School softball team, will face Wisner Friday at 4:45 p.m. in first-round action.

If the Rebels win, they would face the Kelly's-Crete Diamonds winner Friday at 8:15 p.m. If Wisner defeats McCook, the Rebels would drop to the loser's bracket at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Each team in the 18-Under division is assured of playing at least three games in the state tournament.

A total of 17 teams will battle in the Class B 16-Under state tourney at Lexington July 2-4.

The McCook Rebels will open their state tournament experience against the Lincoln Thunder Friday at 4:45 p.m. at the Lexington softball complex. If the Rebels win Friday, they would advance to second-round action Saturday at 1:15 p.m. If the Rebels lose to Lincoln, they would play in the loser's bracket Saturday at 8 a.m.

The 16-Under division teams will play at least three games at state.

The McCook Rebels 14-Under team will be among 24 teams in the Class B state tourney field at Hastings July 2-4. The 14-Under Rebels will play Friday at 6:30 p.m. against the Kelly's-Titans winner (3 p.m. Friday).

The Rebels would advance to a Saturday 3 p.m. contest with a win Friday, and a loss Friday means the Rebels would play again Saturday at 8 a.m.

Two McCook squads will compete in the 22-team Class B 12-Under state tournament field at Hastings July 2-4.

The McCook Rebels 12-Under team will face Scribner-Snyder in first-round action Friday at 3 p.m. The Rebels/Scribner-Snyder winner will face the Elkhorn Slammers Black Friday at 7:30 p.m., and the first-round loser playing again Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

The McCook Stealerz will play Friday at 9 p.m. against the Norfolk Golden Girls-Sports Express winner (Friday 4:30 p.m.). With a win, the Stealerz would not play again until Saturday at 3:30 p.m., and loss means the Stealerz drop the loser's bracket for a game Saturday at 11 a.m.

Six teams will compete in the Class B 10-Under state meet at North Platte July 2-4.

The McCook Rebels face a 6:30 p.m. Friday game against the Platte Valley Scorpions-Junior Belles winner (Friday, 5 p.m.). If the Rebels win, they would play in the winner's bracket final Saturday at 11 a.m. If the Rebels lose, they would play again Friday at 8 p.m.

18-Under Rebels results

The McCook Rebels finished third at the McCook State Prep Tournament played last weekend at the Jaycees Sports Complex.

In opening-round action Friday, June 25, the Rebels dropped a 7-3 decision to the North Platte Wild Things.

Taylor Matson led McCook with a single and two runs batted in. Erin Premer also had an RBI single, and Gretchen Sehnert had a pair of singles.

McCook came back Saturday, June 26, with a 12-0 rout over the Grainfield (Kansas) Blue Aces. Gillen and Matson each knocked in two runs, while Sehnert, Premer and Hailey Esch added an RBI each.

The Rebels then beat the Sterling (Colorado) Adrenaline, 9-1, in Saturday's final pool play game. Premer had the hot bat with a triple and single and 3 RBI. Esch had two singles and two runs knocked in. Gillen added a double and single and one RBI.

The Rebels then lost to the Cozad Classics, 5-2, in Sunday's tournament bracket semifinals. Amanda Einspahr had a single and double, while Gillen and Rachel Bradley drove in a run each for McCook.

The Rebels played for third place in a rematch with the Sterling Adrenaline. McCook was dominant again with an 8-1 decision. Jaci Saalfeld, Matson and Premer each had two RBI for the winners. Einspahr had three hits, and Sehnert and Esch each drove in a run.

Holdrege Tournaemnt champs

The 18-Under Rebels also claimed the championship at the Holdrege Tournament June 11-12. The tournament schedule was altered due to rain, and McCook won both of its tournament games to claim the title.

The Rebels pounded the Oxford Panthers 11-1, with Erin Premer delivering a three-run triple. Rachel Bradley also had two singles and two runs batted in.

McCook also topped the Rally Katz, 12-3. Kelsey Gillen and Gretchen Sehnert each had two RBI for the winners.