Sycamore rallies past Rockets for regional

Updated: May 28, 2011 10:02PM

Brittany Huber laced a two-out RBI single to left in the top of the ninth inning as Sycamore rallied past Burlington Central on Saturday for a 5-2 win and the Class 3A Kaneland Regional title.

Vying for their first postseason hardware since 2009 when they finished third in the state, the top-seeded Rockets couldn’t hold a 2-1 sixth-inning lead, and ended up losing 5-2 in nine innings against Sycamore.

The Spartans (21-15) advance to the Rochelle Sectional.

“It’s a tough one to lose but the way we played the game was the right way to play,” said Central first-year coach Cray Allen. “I’m not disappointed whatsoever. We competed. We didn’t hit the ball as much as they did but I thought the game was well played.”

Behind stating pitcher Rebecca Roscher, the Rockets (17-16) carried a 2-1 lead into the top of the sixth. With one out and runners at first and third, Sycamore No. 9 hitter Tristyn Criswell hit a routine a low popup on the infield, which was easily corralled by the shortstop. However, trying to double off the runner at first, the throw was wide, allowing the runner at third to score, tying the game at 2.

Still, Central had a chance to pull out the win. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Rockets had runners at first and second. But pitcher Abby Foulk was able to locate her fastball for a called-third strike and get out of the inning.

With all the momentum on their side, the Spartans broke the 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth when Huber laced her single to left. The next two batters each recorded an RBI hit to push the lead to 5-2.

The Rockets threatened in the bottom of the ninth, but Foulk (16-6) again got out of the jam by inducing a flyout with the bases loaded.

“Once we got into extra innings we were feeling pretty good about ourselves,” said Sycamore coach Jill Carpenter.

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, junior Haley Albamonte (2-for-4) belted a two-run home run to left-center field on a first-pitch fastball to give her team the lead. Audrey Djukic (2-for-4) also had a multiple-hit game for the Rockets.

Roscher (10-6) allowed four earned runs on 15 hits.

“Their pitcher did a great job of moving us in and out, up and down, and we were seeing the ball everywhere and having trouble making contact,” said Albamonte, a junior. “The younger girls — the talent and drive they have is absolutely amazing and I’m really ready for next year.”

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