First inning struggles sink Rebels against Trojans

West Marshall plated five runs in the opening frame and coasted from there on out to grab a 6-2 win over Gladbrook-Reinbeck and stay atop the NICL West standings last Thursday night.
           
Rebel starting pitcher Joe Smoldt quickly retired the first two batters he faced and appeared to be in control early for G-R (6-5), but a David Disney double to left field opened the floodgates for the Trojans (14-3). He went on to steal third and score on a Rebel throwing error for the first run, and a Cody Mead RBI bloop single made it 2-0. Senior Chandler Sponseller then singled, and a Smoldt wild pitch moved the runners to second and third.
           
Lefty Ryan Reyerson blasted another double to right center field, and just like that, it was 4-0. For good measure, Ross Randle hit one more RBI two-bagger to stretch the lead to five after half of an inning. 
 
Read more in this week's Grundy Register, or subscribe by calling (319) 824-6958 or clicking here.