FREEPORT — The Rochelle Little League 11-12 Boys All-Star Team had no problem taking down Freeport in the winners bracket finals of the 2017 Illinois Little League District 19 Championship this past Thursday.

And the Rochelle boys proved once again why they’re the best team in the district when they faced Freeport a second time on Tuesday.

Behind a two-run homer by Ryan Simmons in the first inning and a six-run outburst in the second inning, Rochelle cruised to a 16-6 win over Freeport to take home the 2017 Illinois Little League District 19 Championship. Simmons led the 11-12 Boys All-Stars with two hits, five RBIs and three runs scored.

Five Rochelle players scored twice in the game including Garrett Gensler, Grant Messer, Zach Sanford, Noah Lara and Josh Lloyd. Gensler, Messer and Sanford each went 1-for-3 at the plate, with Brandon Moody going 1-for-2 with a single.

Jacob Andrist, Denton Johnson and Bradley Cooney each scored one run, with Cooney doubling in his only at-bat and Johnson singling in his lone plate appearance. Alex Burnette started on the mound for Rochelle, tossing two innings before handing the ball to Lloyd, who pitched the final two innings.

Rochelle will advance to the 2017 Illinois Little League District 13 Sub-State Tournament with the win over Freeport. The sub-state tournament will begin on Tuesday, July 18.