ROCHELLE — Juniors Elijah Harley and Breydan Andrews each hit RBI singles to spark the Rochelle Hub varsity baseball team during Monday’s Interstate 8 game against LaSalle-Peru.

Trailing 5-0 entering the bottom of the fourth inning, Rochelle cut the deficit to three after a trio of singles including two run-scoring knocks from Harley and Andrews. The Hubs threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, but a strikeout ended a promising opportunity and allowed the Cavaliers to escape with a 5-2 win. Rochelle (4-14, 0-10 Interstate 8) will continue its three-game set against LaSalle-Peru with a home matchup on Wednesday evening. 

Jack Jereb smacked a lead-off single and scored on an RBI double from Brendan Boudreau, who then crossed home plate on a wild pitch to give the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Hubs loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the first inning, where junior Ethan Goodwin reached on an error before senior Brock Metzger and freshman Brody Bruns each slapped singles. But a flyout and a groundout dashed Rochelle’s scoring chances.

LaSalle-Peru tallied two runs in the top of the second inning, where Brandon Foreman scored on a wild pitch and Brady Romagnoli doubled before touching home on a steal. Jackson Piecha put the Cavaliers ahead 5-0 after an RBI double in the top of the third inning that scored Jacob Gross. Harley and Andrews made the score 5-2 with RBI knocks in the bottom of the fourth.

Metzger started on the mound and threw six innings for Rochelle, striking out four batters. Goodwin entered in relief and fired a scoreless frame, retiring the Cavaliers in order.