Osky Rebels Make Their Mark At USSSA World Series

Front Row: l-r Saydee Smith, Jori VanDenBerg, Britney Pettyjohn, Krissy McCombs, Devan Welch, & Kennedy Landgrebe
Back Row: l-r Destiny Brown, Natasha Shipp, Summer Smith, Loghan Hunt, & Baylee Crawford
Also part of our team, but was unable to attend the World Series, is Brynn Shaull & Kyndall Ver Beek  (submitted photo)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Osky Rebels 12U softball team traveled to Kansas City July 11-14 to take on 68 of the best teams in the 12U bracket at the USSSA World Series.

There, the Rebels were placed in the top bracket of the American Division. That bracket is known to carry many of the more skilled teams, with the National Division being those teams with maybe less skill or titles.

The Rebels carried the season with a 27-16 overall record, with a 26-14 record in completion within class teams.

The Rebels earned their spot in the World Series by winning the Ankeny Tournament and placing 5th in the State Tournament in Altoona.

During the opening ceremony, Oskaloosa’s very own Kennedy Landgrebe was chosen to sing the National Anthem, and the players and coaches walked in a Mardi Gras parade.

In the first game at the World Series, which was the Rebels first game, Kennedy Landgrebe pitched a shut out.

Once at the World Series, the Rebels finished in 5th place, out of 68 teams, and held a record of 5 wins and 3 losses.

Beyond the games, the ladies from the team competed in other compeitions as well. Saydee Smith, Britney Pettyjohn, Devan Welch, Jori Vandenberg and Krissy McCombs won the Star Drill.

Kennedy Landgrebe and Saydee Smith were both recipients of MVP awards.

Kennedy Landgrebe pitched 24 innings, striking out 23, with Jori Vandenberg pitching 13 innings and striking out 4.

Coaches said, “The girls played their hearts out and we as their coaches are so very proud of them.”

The Rebels were coached by Tom Shipp and Clint Shaull, with Managers being Jesse and Monica Burress.