I really trusted my catcher Ella [Alfano] today and we really worked on keeping the ball low instead of high because that’s something I’ve been struggling with."”

Lauren Dyer

ROCHELLE — Junior Lauren Dyer looked like an ace in the circle when the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity softball team hosted its nonconference game against Forreston on Friday evening.

Dyer turned in one of her strongest outings of the season, throwing a complete game while striking out five batters and allowing only two walks to lead the Lady Hubs over the Cardinals in a defensive battle. Behind a two-run second inning that featured an RBI double from freshman outfielder Emma Heller, Rochelle outlasted Forreston 2-0 to snap a two-game losing streak.

“I really trusted my catcher Ella [Alfano] today and we really worked on keeping the ball low instead of high because that’s something I’ve been struggling with,” Dyer said. “I was able to keep their hitters off balance all day and they weren’t able to hit anything hard. It’s a great win because we recently had a couple of tough losses against some conference opponents.”

Freshman Jaclynn Lira singled for the Lady Hubs (4-5, 0-2 Interstate 8) in the bottom of the first inning, but a groundout ended the frame. Dyer avoided trouble in the top of the second inning, where Forreston’s Aubrey Sanders singled and Aspen Niesman drew a one-out walk. The junior escaped the jam by keeping the ball low in the zone, though, forcing two straight groundouts.

Rochelle flashed the leather in the top of the third inning, wiggling out of another jam after the Cardinals put two runners on base with a single and a fielder’s choice grounder. With two outs in the frame, Dyer forced a fly ball into right field, where Heller drifted to the foul line to make a tough catch as the gusting winds carried the ball near the foul line. Freshman Phelisity Lopez slapped a lead-off single to spark Rochelle’s two-run rally in the bottom of the second inning.

“I knew I had big shoes to fill this season, but I worked with my dad and my pitching coach a lot over the offseason,” Dyer said. “I’m definitely hitting my spots more and spinning the ball more than I did last season. I try to keep things positive all of the time and my goal is to have fun.”

Four of Dyer’s five strikeouts on Friday were recorded between the fourth and seventh innings, where she also forced five Forreston groundouts. Although the Lady Hubs managed just three hits in the game, their combined efforts in the field and in the pitcher’s circle were enough to secure the win. Rochelle will resume Interstate 8 play against Sycamore at home on Monday.