LANSING | T.F. South had its chance early but couldn't capitalize.
Illiana Christian did.
The Rebels left the bases loaded in the first inning and squandered its only chance at a big inning on their way to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Illiana Christian in the "Battle of Lansing" Saturday night at the Lansing Sports Complex.
Josh VanBeek was 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the win for the Vikings.
"I was just trying to get on base any way I could," he said. "Every game we come in trying to do the little things and score runs when we can."
Teammate Caleb Jonkman was 2-for-3 with one run scored.
T.F. South (15-18) loaded the bases in the first, but was unable to come up with any runs. Starter Justin Pasko threw four solid innings, but gave up eight hits.
Illiana Christian (23-10) plated two runs in the second inning and two more in the fourth.
"We really were committed to manufacturing some runs today," Illiana Christian coach Dan Gibson said. "We did a great job of executing the bunting, hit and runs, and our pitchers threw strikes and kept us in the ball game."
The Rebels scored one run in the third and added one more in the seventh. The Illiana Christian pitching trio of Braden Mulder, Trevor Wheaton, and Travis Jabaay, held the T.F. South bats in check and allowed four total hits.
"It was a great game by both teams," T.F. South coach Matt Tiffy said. "Both teams are playing for their seniors. In the beginning, we had bases loaded with one out and we didn't do anything with it. That was the turning point. That could have been a big factor in the score."
Please Wait…