STERLING — The Rochelle Hub varsity baseball team scored its first win of the season on Thursday evening, recording 11 hits and tallying four runs in the third inning to secure a 12-5 victory over Sterling in nonconference action. Senior Brock Metzger reached base five times in the win, while sophomore Brode Metzger singled three times for the Hubs (1-1, 0-0 Interstate 8).

Rochelle held a 4-0 lead after plating four runs in the top of the third inning, where junior Carson Lewis belted a three-run double and senior Chandler Cunningham reached on an error to bring home Brock Metzger. The Hubs added three runs in the top of the fourth inning, surging ahead 7-0 after an RBI single from Brode Metzger and a fielder’s choice grounder from Brock Metzger, who scored on a wild pitch four at-bats later to give the Hubs a seven-run advantage.

Sterling answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, cutting the Rochelle lead to 7-3 after a two-run single from Miles Nawrocki, who scored on a passed ball soon after. The Hubs fired back with three runs in the top of the sixth inning, where freshman Brody Bruns sent an RBI double into the outfield and junior Elijah Harley plated another run on a sacrifice. Cunningham reached on a dropped third strike in the next at-bat, allowing Bruns to score.

An RBI double from Mason Smithee and a sacrifice fly from Braden Birdsley led to two runs for the Golden Warriors in the bottom of the sixth inning, making the score 10-5 before Rochelle responded with two runs in the top of the seventh inning. Bruns slapped an RBI single with two outs, bringing Brode Metzger home before eventually scoring on a steal of home.

Senior Dylan Whaley started on the mound for the Hubs, throwing three and one-third innings while striking out two batters and allowing three earned runs. Bruns entered in relief and earned the win, firing three and two-thirds innings with three strikeouts and two earned runs allowed.