In one swing of the bat the might United South Central offense might have roared back to life.

The Rebels averaged 8.1 runs during the high school season and hit .326 as team, but struggled to find their swings since the American Legion schedule started.

That all came to an end in the first inning Monday in a 12-2 rout of Truman at home.

A.J. Dreyer launched a grand slam to left center field to cap off a five-run first inning for USC.

“That was my first one of the year,” Dreyer said. “Just went with it and it went over the fence.”

The Rebels went on to add seven more runs in the fifth to win 12-2.

“It’s been awhile, we’ve been struggling a little bit,” catcher Jake Bonsack said.

After scoring just six runs in its last two games USC turned in its finest effort of the season.

“Our hitting is set,” Dreyer said. “As long as we can throw strikes we’re good.”

The difference maker was Rebel pitchers being able to throw strikes and work out of jams.

In the fifth inning Truman drew the game to 5-2, but USC reliever Ned Kalis worked his way out of trouble by inducing a routine fly ball to avert the big inning.

The Rebels still walked far too many hitters for coach Pat Frank.

“Our pitchers need to be more consistent throwing strikes because that’s what’s kind of getting us in trouble right now, Frank said. “A lot of that deals with not practicing everyday, not getting your bullpens in everyday, doing stuff like that.”

Matt Steirnagle threw four innings of three hit ball and did not allow a run, but walked five batters.

The defense picked up the slack for Steirnagle as USC fielded well.

In the seventh Tom Voigt hit a two-run double and advanced to third on the throw and later scored on a sacrifice fly. Bonsack and Dreyer each added an RBI single in the frame to trigger the 10-run rule.

USC 12, Truman 2

Truman – 000 02x x – 2 4 3

USC – 500 07x x – 12 8 0

WP – Matt Steirnagle 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 K, 5 BB