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Article Date: Apr 26

Ryley Rebels 2011 Preview

2010 Record/Finish: 10-5, 2^nd place

Manager: Kevin Reinholt (3^rd Season)

Arrivals: None

Departures: LHP Cody Hovdstad (injury), RHP Paul Schole

Rotation: RHP Curt Stensrud, RHP Dylan Solberg, RHP Ron Oslund, RHP Craig Koughan

Relievers: RHP Corey Epp, RHP Kris Kushnerick, RHP Joel Graumann, RHP Bryan Toles

Regulars: LF Corey Epp, 1B Kevin Reinholt, SS Dylan Solberg, 2B/DH Kyle Reinholt, 2B/SS Brian Tavaroli, RF Kris Kushnerick, C Dustin Solberg, CF Josh Lyons, RF Travis Jones, 3B Craig Koughan, 3B/1B Travis Bugge, C Jon Lehman

Breakout Candidate: Brian Tavaroli had a rough transition back to the baseball diamond after a highly successful slo-pitch career in 2009. If Tavaroli was John McDonald in 2009, he showed flashes of Dan Uggla in 2010 posting good offensive numbers in stretches to compliment the always-smooth glove work.  Another season and more at bats should see Tavaroli continue to improve offensively, giving the Rebels a solid one through five hitting line up along with Corey Epp, Kevin Reinholt, Dylan Solberg, and Kyle Reinholt.

Rundown: The Rebels improved from 2009 (9-7-1) to 2010 (10-5) and will look to continue to improve to challenge the back-to-back PBL Champion Leduc Milleteers in 2011. Despite not having any major arrivals or additions to the team in 2011, the team has only lost two roster players in Hovdstad and Schole. Manager Kevin Reinholt is hoping that a new season will bring forth a fresh rotation after Dylan Solberg and Curt Stensrud were both limited in action last season due to injuries. The PBL’s most explosive offense will return all major components to the lineup in 2011 with another year of experience. Add the potential for a breakout season for Tavaroli and Koughan, both of who showed flashes in 2010, with the steady play of Epp, Solberg, and the Reinholt brothers, and the Rebels might find themselves with another high scoring offense in 2011. With slow starts in each of the last two seasons, the Rebels will have to right the ship early to add one or two more wins to the record to steal first away from the Milleteers, who have lost two of there four starters from last season.  The Rebels proved in 2010 that they could wear down the Holden Blue Jays and All-Star LHP Kyle Muzcheka in the semi-final while the Rebels once again were able to win the season series versus the Bardo Athletics. A good start by the Rebels in 2011 with sustained momentum throughout the season might see the team post 11 or 12 wins, but until the team can prove they can handle the Milleteers (3-13 versus the Milleteers since 2009) and with too many missed opportunities in close games, the Rebels may still find themselves in second place in 2011.

Predicted 2011 Record/Finish: 10-5/second place