By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

Winning seems to cure all ills. And what a different a week makes.

The McKenzie Rebel baseball team has pop in its bat, spring in its step and has kicked out the imposters that raided its dugout earlier this year.

As a result, the Rebels held a home-run derby contest at the expense of visiting Greenfield to the tune of a mercy-rule 17-4 victory Thursday. Senior Rusty Chapman made his first career homer a memorable one. He blasted a fourth-inning grand slam shot that cleared the scoreboard. He joined Kyle Kirk and Parker Jones as the other Rebels with blasts.

Junior hurler Tyler Holt was the winning pitcher in the five-inning game, striking out seven.

"We're winning," said a grinning Lynn Yarbrough, McKenzie baseball coach of his team's five-game winning streak. "We're getting power all over the lineup, we are getting solid leadership and we are hitting the ball."

The goal Thursday was to end the affair early, and the Rebels did just that. And the victory came on the heels of a 9-1 victory over Jackson Christian School in Jackson on Wednesday to nail down the SportsPlus Tournament co-championship (see related story).

"I think we had a lot of carry over from yesterday," said the coach. "We sort of set a goal to win big today and we did. We're starting to take care of business."

And the Rebels took care of business early. In the first inning senior catcher and clay pigeon Drew Brown, who has been hit five times in the last three games, earned his way on via the beanball. Chapman singled home Jacob Fussell, who was running for Brown. Nick Chappell was beaned, Tyler Reeder's hit drove on Chapman. Jones had a hit and the Rebels led 3-0.

Greenfield countered in the second with a two-run homer, but Holt settled down to fan the next two, walk one and force a pop out to Luke Anderson at second base.

In the Rebel second, Kirk led off with a home run, a rocket deep to right-center, his third of the season. Chapman reached on an infield single and advanced when Carr reached on an error. Chappell grounded out, but scored Chapman for a 5-2 lead.

In the third, Jones ripped a shot over the left field wall to start a five-run frame. Holt walked, Kirk singled, Brown was plunked again. Chapman singled in two runs, then Carr walked to load the bases. Chappell was nect and his double cleared the sacks. Chappell tried to score on Reeder's fly out, but was thrown out at the plate. He injured his hamstring during the play and eventually left the game.

Greenfield kept the game going for at least another panel when it added two runs in the fourth, but the Rebels came rushing right back. With one out, Anderson reached on an error, Holt and Kirk walked to load 'em up for Brown, who walked, which brought in Anderson. Chapman was next and turned on a pitch and drove it well over the scoreboard in left field.

"Chapman's shot was a pretty good lick," said Yarbrough. "He's been going the other way, but he really got around on that one."

Chapman was 4-4 on the day with seven RBI.

His grand slam was a big feat, but the Rebs weren't done. Carr walked, stole second, but turned his ankle in the process. Clint Kee came in to run for Carr. Brandon Sellers, who came in with two strikes to replace the injured Chappell, bounced an infield hit. Reeder lifted an RBI single to bring in Kee. The Rebs led 17-4.

In the fifth, Holt gave up a walk, struck out two, gave up a hit, which prompted a conference from Yarbrough at the mound. Holt settled down and forced a pop out, which Jones collected for the victory.

"We hit the ball well today," Yarbrough said. "Holt pitched a good game and it was a good win for him. He needed this one."

Brown reached base four times with two walks, hit-by-pitch and a single. He had an RBI. Chappell was 1-2 with four RBI. Jones was 2-3 with a homer and a single. Holt walked twice, Reeder was 2-3 with two RBI. Kirk homered, singled and walked.

The Rebels, 15-5, winners of 10 of their last 11, visit Wilson Park in Dresden for a 4:30 start. Logan Poore is scheduled to get the ball for McKenzie.