Rebels baseball go 1-1 in week of nail biters

Champlin Park baseball began last week with a blockbuster 4-3 win over Centennial at home on April 23, capped off by a walk for the win for the Rebels in the bottom of the seventh.

The night began on a difficult note for the Rebels. Centennial scraped one run from a busy top of the first, taking the lead despite good work from Max Janisch at first base with two tags and a catch deep into right field by Connor Sammon. Strong pitching from Centennial’s Josh Lee held Champlin Park at bay to keep it 1-0 heading into the second, a trend that continued through the second inning. Tyler Phenow did his part to keep the second scoreless with improved pitching after a tough first inning. He picked up his first strikeout, while continuing to benefit from good play by Janisch and second baseman Chase Oxborough.

Champlin Park finally unlocked the game in the bottom of the third, after Phenow racked up three strikeouts against Centennial. The Rebels got feet on the bases through a single from Aaron Coan, who then stole second. Brady Schornstein then hit an RBI single to help Coan home. Schornstein eventually got to third base himself, but Centennial found its rhythm and got the necessary strikeout to keep it 1-1.

It stayed that way through the fourth, with Phenow and Oxborough working well in tandem with Janisch to get regular tags and a share of strikeouts. Centennial was similarly well-positioned defensively in the bottom of the fourth.

The Rebels stepped up the energy of the game with a big bottom of the fifth. Ty McGee hit an RBI single for Coan to retake the lead, before Nick Carlson, Paul Dylong, and Janisch loaded the bases. Oxborough hit an RBI single to get Carlson home, making it 3-1 before Centennial reestablished control and cut short the scoring streak.

The drama was not over, however, with a nail-biting seventh inning on the way. Tyler Phenow left the mound for Carlson after a strong six innings for the Rebels. Carlson, faced with two Cougars already on the bases, worked hard to get the win secured. Centennial made it work, however, and tied the game 3-3.

Now at bat, Champlin Park did the work. Brockton Sandell, Schornstein, and Kellan Oligmueller all earned walks to first to load the bases, setting up an RBI single by Rhys George to get Sandell home to win the game 4-3.

The Rebels followed their narrow win over Centennial with a narrow loss to Elk River on April 25, falling 7-5 at Hales Field. Champlin Park ended the week with a 4-2 record in Northwest Suburban Conference play, 5-2 overall including a road opener win over River Falls.

Champlin Park will play four games next week, traveling to Park Center/Columbia Heights/Maranatha on April 30, before hosting Andover on May 1 and traveling to Coon Rapids and Rocori on May 2 and 3 respectively.