SYCAMORE — The Rochelle Hub varsity baseball team teed off its Interstate 8 Conference schedule with the first of a three-game series against Sycamore on Monday evening. Behind a dominant performance from starting pitcher Matthew Rosado, who went all seven innings while striking out 14 batters and allowing three hits, the Spartans held off the Hubs by a score of 4-1.

Rochelle (3-5, 0-1 Interstate 8) will host Sycamore on Wednesday and Thursday to conclude the conference series. The Hubs scored their lone run of the game in the top of the third inning, where junior Ryan Senne sent a one-out double into left field and scored on an RBI single from freshman Brody Bruns. Sophomore Brode Metzger added a two-out double in the frame.

The Hubs carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning, where the Spartans tallied four runs to take control of the game. Teague Hallahan reached on an error to score Davis Collie, tying the score at 1-1 before Will Klumpp scored on a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt from Tyler Townsend brought Hallahan home. Rosado capped off the four-run frame with an RBI double.

Senior Brock Metzger started on the mound for the Hubs, throwing three and two-thirds innings while striking out seven batters and limiting Sycamore to four hits. Junior Ethan Goodwin pitched the final two and two-thirds innings, striking out two without allowing a run.