Butler's Rachel Rebmann has seven hits inher last 11 at bats, including fi ve home runs

BUTLER TWP — Rachel Rebmann is at a loss to explain her recent tear at the plate.

“Honestly, I don't know why,” the junior first baseman says, laughing and shrugging her shoulders. “It's been crazy.”

Perhaps it is best for Rebmann not to think too much about it and just enjoy her prodigious streak.

In her last four games, Rebmann is 7-for-11 with five home runs, a double and 11 RBI.

She's hit at least one home run in each of those games, including two in a win over Fox Chapel Friday.

Her latest drive in a home loss to Seneca Valley Monday nearly cleared both the fence on the varsity field as well as the fence on the adjacent junior varsity and Little League softball diamond.

“I've just been seeing the ball really well,” Rebmann said. “And I've been turning my hips into it more. When I hit one, I don't even feel it.”

Rebmann is batting .450 this season (18 for 40) with five doubles, two triples, five home runs and 25 RBI heading into the Golden Tornado's final game of the season against Knoch today.

First-year coach Shauna Troup, who spent two seasons as an assistant under Dan Hindman, said Rebmann has done great things already on the softball field despite devoting a lot of time to her other sport, volleyball.

“I know she'll work on her volleyball over the summer, but I'm sure she is going to work on her softball skills, too,” Troup said. “I think she's the type of kid who has the potential to play softball in college.”

Rebmann goes back and forth between volleyball, where she was a standout setter for the Golden Tornado, and softball when it comes to which is her favorite.

“They are both about even,” she said. “I like volleyball because it's more fast-paced.”

She certainly likes softball when she is ripping the ball like she has been over the past week and a half.

Rebmann has been the anchor of the Butler lineup since her first day on the varsity roster.

“She's been a starter since her freshman year,” Troup said. “She's been in the middle of our lineup since her freshman year. She has a good stick.”

Butler finished fourth in the section season with a 5-7 record. The top three teams — Seneca Valley, Shaler and North Allegheny — made the playoffs.

The Golden Tornado will lose two seniors — outfielders Madi Graham and Hope Wonderling — but will have a good core returning with Rebmann smack dab in the middle of the lineup.

“I think it'll be a good year,” Rebmann said. “Most of us have been playing together for a long time, so we know each other very well. I think our bats will come alive more.”