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Rehg saw the strain it was putting on the Marquette defense. If it was working, why change it?

"When they can't handle it, just keep doing it," Rehg said. "We've proved we can do it."

Eureka utilized the small ball game to devastating effect in a Suburban Conference Yellow Pool baseball game at Marquette High School, taking home a 12-0 victory over the Mustangs.

The Wildcats (14-10 overall, 5-5 league) split the season series with their conference rival.

"It was huge," Eureka junior pitcher Ben Lackey said. "They got one on us last week. It was big to come out and to win a district game. This is a huge turnaround going into the playoffs in a few weeks."

After scoring two runs in the first inning the "conventional" way, the Wildcats started to play small ball in the third inning.

Eureka's coaching staff called for bunts three consecutive at-bats, getting two runners on in scoring position as Marquette committed two throwing errors.

"They were struggling with the small game today," Eureka coach Ken Droege said. "It just amplifies us to go ahead to continue. We capitalized on some of their mistakes and kept the momentum."

The Wildcats scored six more runs in the fifth to end the game via run rule, switching between bunting and a more conventional approach. They bopped out extra-base hits, with Rehg leading the charge.

Rehg went 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and three RBI. While the Eureka leadoff hitter didn't get the sign to bunt, he would have happily laid one down if called to do so.

The four hits he recorded are a career high in a single game and the first time he has tallied three RBI since doing so March 22 against Timberland.

"I just like to look backside and stay on the ball," Rehg said. "No matter what I get, I just want to hit it hard somewhere."

Wildcats junior John Haberkorn collected a team-high four RBI, going 2-for-4 at the plate.

With Eureka pouncing all over Marquette (13-10, 5-4), Lackey tossed a two-hit shutout over five innings.

"He just dominated the game," Rehg said. "He outcompeted them on the mound and didn't let anything up."

Lackey smiled when asked if he'd have laid down a bunt if he were in the lineup.

"I'll stick to staying on the mound," Lackey said. "I love our bunting; not many people can defend against it. We have speed up and down the lineup, and guys with the ability to get a job done in any situation."

The loss spoiled Marquette's senior night ceremony.

"We got outplayed in a lot of different facets, and we weren't ready to play a game to be competitive and win today," Marquette coach John Meyer said.

Senior Drew Hansen collected one of the two Mustangs hits against Lackey.

Despite the loss, Meyer hopes the Mustangs can turn things around. Six games are scheduled next week before the postseason kicks in.

"What we're hoping for the seniors is that we have a meaningful and memorable experience for them from this point forward," Meyer said. "They deserve it, because as a senior, you devote so much time and effort to this. It's time for us to turn it up, not just for the seniors but everyone on the team."