DIXON — It took 12 innings to decide last week’s varsity softball game between the Dixon Duchesses and the Rochelle Lady Hubs, and the two teams raised the stakes on Monday, with both squads fighting to keep their seasons alive in the IHSA Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals.

Windy conditions made it difficult for the Lady Hubs to get balls into the outfield, and the Rochelle girls were unable to claw their way back from an early deficit, falling by score of 5-1 and ending the season with a record of 3-22.

“We were really proud of our girls for the way they continued to fight all the way through the seventh inning and that’s what we focused on at the end of the game,” head coach Lindsay Suess said. “I hope the girls coming back don’t want to lose in the first game of regionals and I hope they want to put in some extra effort over the offseason.”

Dixon held a 2-0 lead after three innings, but Rochelle got on the board in the top of the fourth inning after senior Paige Myroth singled and scored on an RBI groundout by junior Britney Salinas. Senior Christina Payton singled soon after, but the Lady Hubs were unable to do any more damage.

The Duchesses answered with an RBI groundout of their own to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the fourth. Rochelle junior Jessie Meyers doubled to start the fifth inning, but a grounder to short resulted in Meyers being tagged out at third base. Dixon added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, and both teams went down quietly in the sixth, giving the Lady Hubs one last chance for a comeback.

Junior Teddi Hacaga and senior Jaelyn Kammes both reached on infield singles to load the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh inning after Meyers began the threat with a walk. But a popout to second base shut down the Rochelle rally and sealed a victory for the Duchesses, who will face Sterling in the semifinals Tuesday at Rock Falls.

Senior Jenna Feltes pitched a complete game for the Lady Hubs, and after throwing all 12 innings in Rochelle’s battle with Dixon last week, Suess offered high praise for her four-year varsity starter, who is one of five seniors graduating this year.

“All five of them play so we’re going to have some big spots to fill,” Suess said. “We’re going to miss their hard work and their drive… Jenna’s given us a really good season and she’s one of those girls that, when you give her the ball, she’s going to give her best effort and fight.”