ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Elite 12U softball team scored back-to-back wins over the Sycamore Sycos 12U squad on Saturday, upping the group’s record to 8-4-1 this summer. The Elite 12U team has won four of its five games this month, having beaten Sterling Sway 12U 16-5 and the Junior Comets 12U squad 15-3 in a doubleheader last Saturday, June 7.
Game 1
Rochelle scored eight runs over the first two innings during a 13-8 victory over the Sycamore Sycos in the first of a two-game doubleheader on Saturday. Jaelyn Gonzales collected three RBIs and Tinley Tabor added two RBIs for the Elite, who finished with six hits in the win. Natalie Isley pitched a complete game, striking out seven batters and holding Sycamore to one hit.
With Rochelle trailing 1-0, Berkeley Thompson singled and scored on a passed ball for the first of four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Jaelyn Gonzales put the Elite ahead 2-1, sending an RBI groundout to short that scored Natalie Isley. Helen Miller capped off the four-run frame, smacking an RBI double to left field before coming home on a wild pitch in the next at-bat.
Rochelle carried a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the second inning, where a trio of walks led to a two-run double from Jaelyn Gonzales, who drove home Tinley Tabor and Berkeley Thompson on a hard ground ball into center field. The Elite held an 8-4 advantage entering the bottom of the third inning, where Tabor ripped an RBI triple to right field and scored on a passed ball. Sycamore tallied four runs over the fourth and fifth frames to bring Rochelle within two.
Holding a 10-8 lead, Rochelle rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, surging ahead after Isabel Jackson scored on an error and Tinley Tabor brought home Molly Whiting on an RBI groundout to second base. Berkeley Thompson delivered an insurance run in the next at-bat, shooting an RBI double into left field to drive home Leni Haedt.
Game 2
Rochelle took down Sycamore 18-10 in the second game of the doubleheader to clinch a two-game sweep over the Sycos. Isabel Jackson recorded three RBIs, while four players including Deyonna Wallace, Helen Miller, Annalyce Harris and Jaelyn Gonzales each finished with two RBIs. Molly Whiting pitched four innings and struck out four batters in the win.
Rochelle held a 7-2 lead after the first inning. Berkeley Thompson drove home the first of seven Elite runs in the top of the frame, slapping an RBI single to center to score Tinley Tabor. Helen Miller added an RBI single and Isabel Jackson smacked a two-run double for the Elite, who capped off their seven-run frame with a run on a ground ball to third from Deyonna Wallace.
Annalyce Harris shot an RBI double into right field for the first of three Rochelle runs in the top of the second inning. Deyonna Wallace drew a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded and Molly Whiting rolled an RBI groundout to second base to put the Elite ahead 10-2. After a scoreless bottom of the second, Rochelle tacked on three more runs in the top of the third, where Natalie Isley ripped an RBI triple to center and Jaelyn Gonzales followed with an RBI double to right.
Rochelle carried a 13-3 lead into the top of the fourth inning, where the Elite drew eight walks and scored their final five runs of the game. Despite Sycamore tallying seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Rochelle remained ahead 18-10 after four complete.
