The Rochester Rockets exploded offensively Tuesday night, cruising past Riverton 17-1 in the regional semifinals behind a dominant first inning and strong pitching performances from Jaelyn Watts and Mylie Deatherage.
Rochester wasted no time getting on the board, erupting for 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mylie Deatherage got the scoring started with a two-run single, while Payton Sitko followed with an RBI hit to extend the lead. Molly Eichholz drew a bases-loaded walk, Emmah Brown ripped a two-run single, and Rochester capitalized on multiple Riverton miscues to break the game open early.
The Rockets kept the pressure on in the second inning. Talia Daniels lined a two-run single to center field, and Rochester added more runs off aggressive baserunning and patient at-bats to push the lead to 15-0.
In the third inning, Sitko and Eichholz added RBI singles to make it 17-0 before Riverton scored its lone run in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk by Raelyn Moore.
Jaelyn Watts earned the win in the circle, tossing two perfect innings with six strikeouts. Deatherage followed with two innings, allowing one run while striking out four.
Top Performers for Rochester:
- Payton Sitko: 2 hits, 2 RBI, 2 runs
- Molly Eichholz: 1 hit, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 2 runs
- Mylie Deatherage: 1 hit, 2 RBI, 1 run
- Talia Daniels: 1 hit, 2 RBI, 2 runs
- Brooklyn Thompson: Triple, 2 runs
- Jaelyn Watts: 2 innings pitched, 6 strikeouts
Rochester advances to the regional championship game after another explosive offensive performance.
Brooklyn Thompson hits a stand up TRIPLE for Rochester
Emmah Brown brings in 2 RBI’s for Rochester.
Payton Sitko with a single into right field brings in a run for Rochester.
Talia Daniels brings in 2 runs for Rochester
Molly Eichholz with the RBI single for Rochester.
Jalyn Watts with a sweet strikeout for the Rockets.
#00 Brooklyn Lanham with a smooth single for Riverton. #ilswriverton
#1 Raelyn Moore with some quick fielding and the out for Riverton
#7 Jocelyn Tolley with a smooth single for the Hawks