ROCK FALLS — Rochelle Little League’s 12U Softball All-Stars captured the Illinois Little League District 19 Championship at Rocket Park in Rock Falls this past week, finishing 3-0 over three games to advance to the State Championship tournament at Scripps Park in Rushville. Rochelle dominated Rock Falls before scoring back-to-back wins against Sterling to seal the district championship.

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

Rock Falls

Rochelle’s tournament run started with a 22-1 thrashing against Rock Falls on Monday evening. Cali Metzger went 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs, while Molly Whiting and Berkeley Thompson each went 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBis. Hailey Chapman went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Misha Krawcewicz went 2-for-2 with three runs scored in the win over Rock Falls.

Rochelle blew the game open with 12 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Cali Metzger delivered a two-run double and Hailey Chapman followed with an RBI single to put Rochelle ahead 3-0. The frame continued with RBI singles from Molly Whiting and Berkeley Thompson that gave Rochelle an 8-0 advantage over Rock Falls with only one out. Misha Krawcewicz hit an RBI single and Jaelyn Gonzales added an RBI groundout to cap off the 12-run frame.

Rochelle exploded for 10 more runs in the bottom of the second inning, where Macey Gittleson’s RBI single sparked a string of four run-scoring singles for the 12U All-Stars. Berkeley Thompson, Makenzie Johnson and Tinley Tabor slapped three RBI singles in a row to give Rochelle a 16-0 lead in the game. Jaelyn Gonzales bashed an RBI single and Cali Metzger followed with an RBI double to left field that wrapped up the 10-run frame for Rochelle.

Rock Falls tallied one run in the top of the third inning. Cali Metzger pitched two innings for the Rochelle side, striking out six batters while allowing only one hit. Molly Whiting threw the final inning of relief for the 12U All-Stars, striking out two batters without allowing a hit.

Sterling 1

Rochelle reached the championship round with a 14-2 win against Sterling on Tuesday evening. Cali Metzger went 3-for-3 with two runs and one RBI, while Macey Gittleson went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Tinley Tabor went 2-for-2 and scored one run for Rochelle in the win.

Cali Metzger pitched all five innings on the Rochelle side, striking out 12 batters and allowing only two runs on one hit. Rochelle took a 2-0 lead over Sterling in the top of the second inning, where Macey Gittleson slapped a two-run single into center field to score Mayson Smardo and Berkeley Thompson, who each reached base on hit-by-pitches earlier in the frame.

Cali Metzger bashed an RBI double to spark a four-run surge for Rochelle in the top of the third inning. Hailey Chapman followed with an RBI single and Berkeley Thompson sent an RBI single to right field that gave Rochelle a 5-0 lead. The 12U All-Stars extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning, where Macey Gittleson and Helen Miller each scored on passed balls.

Sterling tallied two runs on a single and a groundout in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rochelle responded with six runs in the top of the fifth inning to seal the victory over Sterling. Mayson Smardo reached on an RBI infield single before scoring on a passed ball to put Rochelle ahead 12-2. After Macey Gittleson singled and Helen Miller drew a two-out walk, both runners came home on passed balls to cap off the six-run frame for the 12U All-Stars.

Sterling 2

Rochelle won the district championship on Thursday evening, defeating Sterling 10-7 in a rematch from the semifinals. Mayson Smardo went 3-for-3 with three runs and one RBI, while Cali Metzger went 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs. Misha Krawcewicz went 2-for-3 with one run scored and Jaelyn Gonzales went 2-for-3 with one run and two RBIs in the victory. Cali Metzger pitched all six innings for the Rochelle side, striking out nine batters in the win.

Rochelle held a 4-0 lead after the bottom of the first inning, where Cali Metzger laced a two-run double to right field and Mayson Smardo slapped an RBI single to the second-base side. Sterling earned one run back in the top of the second inning, but the 12U All-Stars extended their lead after Jaelyn Gonzales smacked a two-run double to the second-base side in the bottom of the second inning, allowing Sofia Reynolds and Makenzie Johnson to score.

Berkeley Thompson’s RBI groundout gave Rochelle a 7-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Sterling tallied three runs on two singles and one double in the top of the fourth inning before tying the game at 7-7 after plating three runs on three singles in the top of the fifth inning. 

Undeterred by the Sterling rally, Rochelle answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to retake control of the championship game. Hailey Chapman’s RBI single broke the tie and Mayson Smardo’s RBI double put Rochelle ahead 9-7. Berkeley Thompson provided another run with an RBI groundout to the second-base side, her second RBI of the game.