By Katie McElvy
Chambers Academy Baseball picked up a pair of wins to advance in the AISA Playoffs. They played a best of three series against the Hooper Academy Colts and won in convincing fashion, 14-3 and 10-2. The Rebels had a big first inning to start off the series. With bases loaded, Kyle Hand hit a triple to send in three runs. Jonathan Caulfield hit an RBI single to add another score, and with bases once again loaded, Peyton Yerta hit a grand slam on a line drive over center field to put the Rebels up 8-0. Hooper was able to knock in three runs in the top of the second, but Chambers answered when Phillip Belcher stole home on a wild pitch to make the score 9-3.
The Rebels pitching staff sat down three batters in a row to hold the Colts in the top of the third. Luke Tarver got a big hit in the bottom of the inning, and with two runners on, Eli Whorton hit a two RBI single to increase the score 11-3. Sam Smith, Landon Hand, and Drew Sheppard all singled in the fourth to make the final score 14-3. Kyle Hand got the win on the mound while Kole Baker struck out five batters in relief.
The Rebels started the second game a little cold as Hooper held a 0-1 lead heading into the third. Yerta stole home to get the Rebels on the board and tie up the game. The Rebels added two more runs in the fourth to take the lead when Belcher stole home and Grey Hayley hit an RBI single. However, the Rebel bats came alive in the fifth inning. Sheppard got things started with a homer over the left field wall. Whorton, Kyle Hand, and Smith all singled with runners on to walk out of the inning up 10-1. Hooper added a run in the bottom of the fifth, but it was too little, too late, and Rebels advanced to the second round. Sheppard got the win on the mound, only allowing five hits and two runs while striking out six.
The Lady Rebels start their playoff run this week.
