STAR JOURNAL REPORT

The Rhinelander Rebels Legion baseball team saw its early two-run lead disappear at home Wednesday night, but was able to rally in its final two innings at bat to defeat Chequamegon, 7-3.

The Rebels jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when their first two batters, Easton Senoraske and Kurt Zuiker, each singled and then scored on respective singles by Brad Comer and Brad Quade.

The Mud Cats got a run back in the third inning and then tied the game with another run in the top of the fourth, before Rhinelander regained the lead with three runs in the fifth inning with a two-run homer from Quade and an RBI single by Josh Randolph.

At right, the Rebels’ Brandon Hess runs toward third base before being tagged out.

Chequamegon got a run back in the top of the sixth before the Rebels added two more runs in the bottom of the inning when Comer doubled and scored and Tyler Blomdahl singled and scored with RBI singles coming from Quade and Jacob DeMeyer.

Rhinelander’s Brandon Hess pitched the first five innings and picked up the victory, allowing two earned runs on four hits with four walks while striking out two. Nick Spencer threw the final two innings and recorded a save, allowing an unearned run on a hit with two walks and two strikeouts.

Dawson Welk pitched all six innings for the Mud Cats and took the loss, giving up seven earned runs on 16 hits with two walks.

The win improved the Rebels’ season record to 11-5 overall.

Rhinelander plays on the road at 7 p.m. Friday against Mosinee before closing out the regular season at home Monday with a make-up doubleheader starting at 5 p.m. against Eagle River.

The Rebels begin play in a four-team, double-elimination AA Regional Tournament next Wednesday at Merrill with their first game set for 5 p.m. against Antigo.

Rebels 7, Mud Cats 3

Mud Cats             0-0-1 1-0-1 0 – 3   5 0

Rebels                  2-0-0 0-3-2 X – 7 16 3

WP–Brandon Hess; LP–Dawson Welk