By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

Last year, McKenzie suffered an 8-7 home loss to the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Tigers, one of three horrible setbacks at McKenzie City Park in 2007.

Wednesday night, it seemed as if history was destined to repeat itself. The Rebels, in control their own destiny, couldn't afford a District 13A loss, especially after falling to Huntingdon in a game MHS could have won on Tuesday night.

Things didn't look good, especially when the Tigers jumped to a 5-1 lead in the third. But give these McKenzie Rebels credit. Much like they did at Huntingdon, they didn't quit and kept plugging away. Wednesday, their resiliency paid off in a come-from-behind 7-5 victory.

McKenzie improved to 17-6 overall, matching last season's victory total, and 6-1 in District 13A.

"Man, we needed that," said McKenzie coach Lynn Yarbrough. "It was a big win. Now we are competing for best record and now the pressure is on us to win out."

The Rebels have just a handful of games left and should they tie Huntingdon with 9-1 district records, the tiebreaker is overall record, then runs scored against each other. McKenzie could use all the help it could get. They got the help when they needed it most.

Central exploded, thanks to a pair of two-run homers by senior Chad Jordan, who last week had hit a grand slam against Camden. His first shot in the first inning gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead. With one out in the third, he launched another one, even deeper, for a 5-1 lead. The lone Rebel run to that point came in the bottom of the second when junior Brandon Sellers reached on an error and scored.

McKenzie had problems timing the southpaw Central hurler's slow delivery. The Rebels were hyper aggressive and were way ahead. In the third, McKenzie was patient, wait and as a result, scored four runs.

Derek Carr started the third with a walk and stole second. Clint Kee laced a single to left, moving Carr to third. Carr scored by essentially stealing home while Kee attempted to steal second. Parker Jones singled in Kee. Luke Anderson walked which meant Tyler Reeder had to face relief pitcher Bubba Matlock. Reeder walked. With one out, Kirk walked to load the bases. Drew Brown popped out to left field, scopring Jones. Anderson came home and the Rebels had tied the game at 5.

In the fourth, Carr led off with a single. Kee ripped another hit to score Carr and took second on the throw. Jones' single drove in Carr and the Rebels led 7-5.

In the sixth, Central had runners on second and third with one out but Carr, the relief pitcher, wriggled out of the jam with a strikeout and a ground out. In the seventh, Carr worked two outs, but the Tigers had two on. Kee came in to work the final out. Chad Jordan was intentionally passed to load the bases. Kee faced Matlock and struck him out to nail down the win.

"Carr stepped up tonight," said Yarbrough of his reliever. "Clint Kee came in and did a great job, hitting in the four slot and he made some great plays at shortstop."

Kee had been struggling with the stick this year, but was 2-2 with an RBI. Both hits were line drive ropes. He faced one batter and struck out his 76th batter of the season. Carr was 2-2 with a walk and scored twice. He also worked 4 1/3 innings, striking out two and allowing one hit and two walks to collect the victory.

"We took advantage of their weaknesses and it was a good district win for us," said the coach. "We came from behind after getting beat yesterday. We showed some character today and the kids are having fun playing the game. That's what baseball's all about."

Nick Chappell, who is slowed by a sore hamstring, worked 2 1/3 innings before making way for Carr in the third. He struck out four.

Jones was 2-4 with two RBI. Chapman singled.

The Rebels will host Dresden Thursday for a 4:30 start. The Lions, old rivals, played McKenzie in the 1987 state tournament at Nashville's Greer Stadium. Rebel pitcher Jason Baucum struck out 14 Lions, who started Popeye Jones on the mound, but the Lions prevailed 6-2 and advanced to win the Class A state title over Johnson City University High. McKenzie finished third in the state that year.