Rebels Bats Silenced by Braves

At the very least, the Howell High School baseball team was able to salvage something before Friday's game ended.

It didn't take much. In fact, the ball did not even leave the infield.

Carmine Palummo's infield single with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning broke up Manalapan starter Kyle Rubbinaccio's no-hit bid.

Manalapan doominated Howell in an 8-0 win at Howell High School.

"We weren't aggressive enough with the sticks," Howell head coach Eric Johnson said. "We didn't want to let him get ahead and he kept getting ahead hitter after hitter."

The Rebels were held hitless through the first six and 1/3 innings, although Brian Blood did reach base twice, first on a walk in the first inning, and later, reaching first base on an error to lead off the  inning.

Blood also stole second base in the first, but that was as far as any Rebels player advanced on the day.

"We were taking strike three's and watching some good strike one's and strike two's," Johnson said.

Rubbinaccio struck out 10 Howell batters, six caught looking.

"You have to jump on him when he gives you the chance," Johnson said.

Andrew Osbourne started for the Rebels. The junior went five and 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs while striking out four and walking three. He got tagged with the loss.

Mark Doyle came in as a reliever for the Rebels. He recorded the final five outs  and allowed one unearned run.

"We need to have short term memory," Johnson said. "We can't worry about this game because we have more coming up."

The Rebels were scheduled to spend some time away from Shore Conference A North competition against the Braves. Saturday morning the St. Rose Purple Roses were scheduled to come to town before a trip down to Toms River South on Monday morning.

They will then return to action on Wednesday morning at home when the team from Freehold Township comes calling. The week wraps up with a Thursday morning trip to Jackson Liberty.