ROCHELLE — Quick adjustments in the batter’s box enabled freshman infielder Mya Martinez to record three base hits and a team-high three RBIs for the Rochelle Lady Hubs during their nonconference varsity softball matchup against the South Beloit Sobos on Tuesday evening.

Hitting out of the No. 2 hole in the lineup, the right-handed batting Martinez used the full field to her advantage, sending two singles the other way and helping Rochelle clinch its victory with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning. The freshman accounted for three of her team’s 11 hits as the Lady Hubs took down the Sobos 7-1 to snap a nine-game losing streak. Rochelle (4-12, 0-4 Interstate 8) will hit the road for a nonconference game at St. Bede on Wednesday.

“We all worked together and it wasn’t just one person,” said Martinez, who credited junior teammate Madigan Williams for helping her adjust to the varsity level. “We were talking on defense and it was a good game all around. I missed on every first pitch, but I adjusted right away. Their pitcher had a lot of spin, but I adjusted… My teammates pick me up when I’m doing bad, especially Madi since she’s a good leader. I believe in my abilities and the work I put in.”

A pitcher’s duel ensued over the first two frames, as South Beloit starter Whitney Schnack and Rochelle starter Lauren Dyer each put up zeroes over the first and second innings. The Lady Hubs broke through with three runs in the bottom of the third inning, where sophomore Jaclynn Lira drew a lead-off walk and Williams rolled a single through the left side two batters later. 

With one out and two runners on base, Martinez took a 2-1 pitch up the middle for an RBI single that gave the Lady Hubs a 1-0 lead. Dyer rolled an RBI groundout to first base in the next at-bat, but an errant throw home from South Beloit first baseman Macey Lineman allowed Martinez to score as well, putting Rochelle ahead 3-0. The Sobos earned one run back in the top of the fourth inning, where Schnack smacked a one-out single and scored on a throwing error.

Sophomore Phelisity Lopez sparked a two-run surge for the Lady Hubs in the bottom of the fourth inning, reaching on a bunt single down the third-base line before racing around second and reaching third on a passed ball. After an RBI groundout from sophomore Briel Metzger, Lira lined a one-out single into left field before eventually scoring on an RBI double from freshman Audrina Rodriguez, who poked a ball down the right-field line and emerged at second base.

As Rochelle’s lead ballooned, Dyer continued to settle in at the circle, inducing a pair of groundouts in the fifth inning before striking out all three batters she faced in the sixth inning. Dyer fired a complete game for the Lady Hubs, using only 77 pitches to strike out seven batters without a walk while holding South Beloit (7-5, 6-0 Northeastern) to just three hits in the win.