FREEPORT — The Rochelle Little League 9-10 Boys All-Stars played a pair of tough games in the District 19 Championship earlier this week. The kids fell in a close battle with Rock Falls by a score of 7-5 on Monday before dropping their consolation game against Sterling by a score of 13-7 on Tuesday. The boys finished 0-2 in the tournament.

Rock Falls

Rock Falls scored three runs in the top of the second inning, but Rochelle rebounded for two runs in the bottom of the second inning to cut the Rock Falls lead to 3-2. Deegan Schabacker walked and scored Rochelle’s first run, while Ian Metzger scored Rochelle’s second run after reaching on a hit-by-pitch.

Rochelle tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third inning when Bane Workman walked, Keagan Albers walked and Workman scored on a passed ball. Rock Falls singled twice and plated two runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 5-3 lead, but Rochelle earned one run back to make it 5-4 in the bottom of the fourth inning after Colten Manning walked and Caden Goodwin singled.

Rock Falls tallied two runs in the top of the fifth inning to increase its lead to 7-4. Dylan Manning doubled and scored one run for Rochelle in the bottom of the fifth inning, and Roman Villalobos walked for Rochelle in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Rochelle was unable to come back.

Sterling

Rochelle drew first blood against Sterling by taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning after Colten singled and scored. Rochelle added four more runs in the top of the fourth inning to jump ahead 5-0. Ian walked before Albers singled and Schabacker walked. Dylan and Mark Green each singled to keep Rochelle going.

Sterling erupted in the bottom of the fourth inning, however, scoring 10 runs to take the lead 10-5. Sterling scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning for an eight-run advantage. Rochelle tallied two runs in the top of the sixth inning courtesy of Colten and Workman, but Rochelle couldn’t complete its rally.