*Rebels end Royals' 11-game winning streak

By Robert Edmonds
sports@nvdaily.com
NEW MARKET -- After a long week of rained out and suspended games, the New Market Rebels just hoped to play ball on Thursday night.
The Rebels, who have been one of the most successful home teams in the Valley League this season, were in the midst of a five-game homestand.
In their way stood the Winchester Royals, who had won 11 straight games entering the matchup.
After the game was delayed due to groundskeeping from an earlier rain, the Rebels wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard as they rallied in the early innings and then relied on their pitching to carry them the rest of the way as they prevailed 4-2.
"This was just another day in Valley League baseball," Rebels manager Lucas Jones chuckled. "This has kind of become normal for us and it worked out well. We have learned to focus during adversity in many different circumstances."
"The difference in the game tonight was how well they played," Royals Manager John Lowery said. "They pitched well and had timely hitting. We had some chances to score but they made the plays defensively."
After ace pitcher Steve Owens made short work of the Royals to start the game, the Rebels offense struck almost immediately. Leadoff hitter Kenny Mickens began the inning with a double to left-center. Two batters later, Sanchez Gartman lined a shot into rightfield to score Mickens.
Following an infield single by Zak Messer to keep the inning alive, Zack Helgeson added to lead driving in Gartman and giving his team a 2-0 advantage.
"We were just playing around before the game hitting golf balls in the field," Owens said. "But when the game started, we gathered our focus. The hitters did a good job of coming out quick. We knew they were high on their horse and it felt good to get the lead early."
Despite the deficit, the Royals continued to battle against the 6-foot-9 Owens. The Royals found themselves with their first opportunity in the top of the fourth. After getting two runners on, Owens walked Gabriel Ortiz to load the bases. Finding himself in trouble, Owens reached down and came through in typical fashion striking out Brad Zapenas to get out of the jam and end the inning.
"I kind of lost focus there and I walked the batter," Owens said. "I knew I needed to buckle down and I was able to come back with three strikes and get the out."
"That's the way things go in this wood bat league," Lowery said. "Their starter had a big arm and he just cut us down."
The Royals managed to cut the lead in half in the fifth inning by scoring two runs. Owens left in the seventh inning, but the Rebels bullpen picked up with little disparity as they shut down the Royals' offense the rest of the way as closer Brian Burgess recorded the final four outs to put the nail in the coffin and end Winchester's win streak.
"I think we have three of the best starters in this league," Owens said. "If we can keep coming out doing what we've been doing and as solid as our bullpen is we can set ourselves apart from the other teams. We know if we can go deep into the game, our bullpen is going to get the job done."
The Rebels hope they can move forward and continue to play without much interruption from the weather which has wreaked havoc on the Valley League so far this season. Regardless, Jones thinks his team will have little problem staying focused if more obstacles should come its way.
"We feel like we have six starters who we can bring out on any day," Jones said. "If we can put some hits together like we have been lately, we tell the guys we need 24 outs. f we make it to that point, we feel like it's time for Burgess. Bring him in and let him do what he does."