Sterling, RF, Dixon win

SVN SPORTS STAFF Sterling, Dixon and Rock Falls all had big days on the softball diamond Tuesday, defeating conference rivals in close games. The Golden Warriors defeated NCIC Reagan powerhouse Geneseo, and Jacie Young's no-hitter led the Rockets to a win against IVC that put the two teams in a tie for first in the NCIC Lincoln. Dixon defeated Ottawa in nine innings, with Alicia Eastman hitting a walk-off home run. Sterling 7, Geneseo 6: The Golden Warriors' bats came alive at the right time in an NCIC Reagan game at Geneseo. Long, Niki Rivera and Sarah Rodriguez had two hits apiece for Sterling (8-5, 2-3), and Rivera and Rodriguez hit triples. Rodriguez drove in two runs, and Long, Jaime Rehmert and Mariah Bardo added an RBI apiece. Rehmert (4-1) pitched the first three innings before giving way to Long. Alli Rivera drove in four runs for Geneseo (13-3, 4-1). Rock Falls 2, IVC 0: Jacie Young allowed two baserunners and no hits at Rock Falls as the Rockets evened their season series with the Grey Ghosts and forced a tie for the NCIC Lincoln lead. Young (5-2) struck out seven with one walk, and one Ghost reached on an error. Jordan Chappell drove in the game's only runs with a fourth-inning double that scored Molly Anderson and Lindsey Coward, who drew IVC's only walks of the game. Dixon 3, Ottawa 2: Alicia Eastman's home run in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Duchesses to an NCIC Reagan win at home. Kayla Gridley went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Duchesses (5-9). Eastman pitched all nine innings and allowed eight hits. Milledgevile-Polo 6, Newman 0: Paige Barger and Melissa Schleuning each drove in two runs as the visiting Missiles beat the Comets. Keali Engelkens allowed four hits while striking out eight for the Missiles (14-1). Michele Salvatori went the distance for Newman (8-7). Amboy 14, Ohio 4: The Clippers scored 11 runs in the top of the first in a five-inning nonconference win at Ohio. Lauren Liebing had a pair of hits and one RBI for Amboy (6-9). Nicolle Ely had two RBIs. Fulton 13, Galva 1: Dani Adams' home run and six RBIs led the Steamers to a five-inning, nonconference victory at winless Galva. Sarah Christopher also homered for the Steamers (2-13). Eastland sweeps West Carroll: Tiffany Truckenmiller and the Cougars won two NUIC games at Thomson. Eastland won the first game 13-10 and the second 13-10. Haylee Endress combined for eight hits and five RBIs, and the Cougars (14-9) came back from a 10-2 deficit in the second game. Nia Calbreath hit a led off Game 2 with a home run for the Thunder (12-7, 8-5), and Brianna Cook had four hits. Oregon 12, Winnebago 3: Kelsey Kleveland doubled, singled twice and drove in three runs as the Hawks beat the visiting Indians. Katie Fearer (8-4) was the winning pitcher. She allowed three runs (0 earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out seven. Glenbard South 7, Rochelle 1: Jill Trzaska scattered six hits over seven innings for visiting Glenbard South. Trzaska struck out nine batters and didn't walk any. For Rochelle (9-7, 2-5 Western Sun), Jessica Jones (7-6) took the loss. In four innings, Jones allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks.