By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

After McKenzie's dreams of repeating as Class A state baseball champions ended with a 10-4 loss at Jackon Christian School in substate last year, a tearful Clint Kee patted his chest after the game as if to say, "my bad."

Of course it wasn't Kee's fault the Rebels suffered the setback. McKenzie could have trotted out Cy Young and JCS was going to hit the baseball that afternoon. The Eagles had 11 hits, four of them for extra bases, including two homers. The Red Sox would have struggled with JCS on that afternoon.

When it was determined that McKenzie was going to play JCS in the semifinals of the SportsPlus Tournament in Jackson, Kee wanted the ball. However, rains forced postponement of the game. But the weather sort of raised the stakes. TSSAA rules prohibit extending tournament dates beyond one extra day, so McKenzie played JCS for the SportsPlus co-championship on Wednesday.

The fact that the Rebs would get another shot at JCS was one thing. The fact that rain made them stew about it for a few weeks just made the nuclear core hotter. More than that, Kee wanted the ball.

He got it and made the most of it. The senior struck out 10 and helped his team to a 9-1 victory over the much-ballyhooed Eagles on their home field. McKenzie coach Lynn Yarbrough said that Kee had been locked in prior to the game. He had tunnel vision.

"People asked why I was going to pitch Kee but I knew if we did we'd win and he wanted it," said Yarbrough. "Clint was in the zone for two days and he got all the seniors fired up. He was just in that bubble and I knew he was going to pitch a great game."

For Kee, this game was like Christmas. The date was circled on the calendar. But Kee wasn't alone. The remainder of the Rebels were licking their chops to get to this game. And they made the Eagles pay.

"We broke out and started hitting the ball and Clint threw the ball well," said Yarbrough. "We've been up for that game since it was scheduled. we were motivated and we wanted that win."

Kyle Kirk hit a line-shot homer over the right-center wall. He walked and reached on a fielder's choice as well. Nick Chappell homered and singled. Drew Brown was 1-3 and was hit twice. Tyler Reeder singled and was beaned. Luke Anderson singled and walked. Brandon Sellers was 2-4.

In other action:

McKENZIE 2, GREENFIELD 1 at Callins Park, Greenfield - Junior lefty Nick Chappell struck out nine as the Rebels won a pitcher's duel against hos Greenfield.

Drew Brown was twice plunked and walked. He scored a run. Chappell singled and Kirk doubled and scored.

MCKENZIE 8, CLARKSBURG 3 at Huntingdon City Park - Drew Brown, Rusty Chapman and Derek Carr each had two hits as the Rebels improved to 4-0 in District 13A play.

Parker Jones, Luke Anderson, Brandon Sellers and Kyle Kirk each singled.

McKENZIE 6, CLARKSBURG 2 at McKenzie - Tyler Holt homered and Clint Kee struck out eight as the Rebels claimed their first District 13A victory. Drew Brown had a trople, Chapman, Reeder and Anderson each had a pair of hits while Kirk had a base hit.