RUSHVILLE — Rochelle Little League’s 12U Softball All-Stars were on the diamond for the 2024 Illinois Little League State Championship tournament at Scripps Park in Rushville over the weekend. Rochelle went 0-4 over four games after winning the District 19 Championship tournament.

The team includes Berkeley Thompson, Cali Metzger, Hailey Chapman, Helen Miller, Jaelyn Gonzales, Leni Haedt, Lylah Schacht, Macey Gittleson, Makenzie Johnson, Mayson Smardo, Misha Krawcewicz, Molly Whiting, Sofia Reynolds and Tinley Tabor. The girls are coached by Johnny Gonzales, Kristi Gonzales, Abby Reish, Allison Dobberstein and Bella Lodico.

Orion

Rochelle’s tournament started with a 19-3 loss against Orion Little League on Saturday. Cali Metzger threw three innings and struck out six batters in the circle, while Molly Whiting added one strikeout over one inning. Rochelle held a 1-0 lead after Misha Krawcewicz doubled and scored on an RBI groundout from Mayson Smardo in the bottom of the first inning.

Orion took the lead with three runs on two walks, two hit batters and one single in the top of the second inning. Rochelle earned one run back after Berkeley Thompson singled and scored on a steal of home in the bottom of the second inning. Orion went ahead 6-2 after tallying three runs on one single, one hit batter, a dropped third strike and a groundout in the top of the third inning.

Molly Whiting doubled and scored on an RBI single from Sofia Reynolds, who brought Rochelle within three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Orion blew the game open in the top of the fourth inning, however, scoring 13 runs on two doubles and seven singles to seal its win.

Oglesby

Rochelle’s tournament continued with an 18-2 loss against Oglesby Little League on Saturday. Cali Metzger and Molly Whiting each threw two innings while combining for three strikeouts. Oglesby went ahead 1-0 after back-to-back doubles led to a run in the top of the first inning. Oglesby added six runs on three singles and four walks in the top of the second inning.

Two doubles and three singles led to five Oglesby runs in the top of the third inning, putting Rochelle behind 12-0. Oglesby continued to attack in the top of the fourth inning, tallying six runs on six singles, one double and one triple to hold a commanding 18-0 advantage.

Rochelle broke its scoreless stretch with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, where Molly Whiting and Makenzie Johnson smacked back-to-back singles before Sofia Reynolds laced an RBI double to right field. Misha Krawcewicz followed with an RBI groundout to second base.

Clarendon Hills

Rochelle returned to action on Sunday with a 13-3 loss against Clarendon Hills Little League. Cali Metzger threw all three innings for the 12U All-Stars, striking out three batters. Clarendon Hills held a 4-0 lead after four runs on two singles, two walks, one triple and one hit batter in the bottom of the first inning. Two singles, two triples and three doubles resulted in six runs for Clarendon Hills, who took a 10-0 lead over Rochelle in the bottom of the second inning. 

Clarendon Hills extended its lead with three runs on two singles and two triples in the bottom of the third inning. Rochelle responded with three runs in the top of the fourth inning, where Cali Metzger and Mayson Smardo connected on back-to-back singles before Berkeley Thompson cleared the bases with a two-run double on a hard grounder to center field.

Beardstown

Rochelle’s state tournament concluded with an 11-1 loss against Beardstown Little League on Monday. Cali Metzger threw three and one-third innings and recorded four strikeouts in the game. Both teams tallied one run in the first inning, with Rochelle holding a 1-0 advantage after Mayson Smardo’s RBI double brought home Misha Krawcewicz in the top of the first inning.

Beardstown tied the game on two singles in the bottom of the first inning before exploding for seven runs on three doubles and three singles in the bottom of the second inning. Beardstown clinched its win with three runs on two walks and two singles in the bottom of the fourth inning.