The 12-U and 11-U Kansas Rebels teams saw both the rewarding and challenging sides of being the underdogs last weekend.

The two AAA division teams each had a double dose of stiff competition Friday against teams from the toughest division in USSSA baseball at the Rawlings AAA/Major Tournament at Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee.

Major is the highest level of USSSA baseball, and the second highest is AAA. 12-U Rebels coach Rod Sharp said the distinction between AAA and Major is evident.

“One or two players and pitchers definitely make a difference,” Sharp said.

The first game of each team’s doubleheader was a battle between Blue Springs and Lawrence as the 12-U Rebels took on the Blue Springs Classics and the 11-U team faced the Blue Springs White Sox at the same time on the neighboring field.

The 12-U Rebels got things started in their first game by scoring first against the Classics, who stormed back with three runs in the bottom of the second inning.

The Rebels tied the game with a two-run third inning, but the game was all Classics after that. Blue Springs scored eight runs in the next two innings and defeated Lawrence, 11-3.

“We got off to a great start, but then we imploded,” Sharp said.

The 11-U Rebels started off strong with a 8-2 win against the White Sox in the first game of its doubleheader. Troy Willoughby and Mack Hartwell led the Rebels offense with a single and a double each, and Colin Toalson scored two runs.

Both Rebels teams lost the nightcaps of their doubleheaders. Despite a strong comeback, the 12-U Rebels lost 9-6 as they came close to beating a league foe, the Kansas City Sharks.

Kansas Rebels 12-U catcher Hayden Emerson catches a pitch against the Blue Springs Classics. The Rebels lost both games of a doubleheader in the Rawlings AAA/Major Tournament on Friday at Mid-America Complex in Shawnee.

Despite sound defensive plays, a few Rebels errors were the catalyst for the Sharks’ early lead. Brad Phillips helped the 12-U Rebels tie up the game with a bases-loaded double, but it wasn’t enough.

“These games are good for our team because it shows our players that even Major teams can get flustered,” parent Randy Phillips said.

The 11-Us could not seem to keep their first game’s offensive drive alive in their second game. Despite strong defense, especially in the infield, the Rebels fell to the Topeka Stars, 9-1.

The 11-U Rebels finished third in the tournament, beating the Topeka Outlaws, 8-2, but falling to the Kansas Outlaws, 5-2, on Saturday. The 12-U Rebels lost both of their Saturday games.