BC downs Sycamore, will meet Kaneland for title Monday

Dave Hartwell was on his game for the Burlington Central baseball team Saturday.

Hartwell tossed a 5-hitter with 6 strikeouts and no walks as the Rockets downed Sycamore 4-1 in the semifinals of the Class 3A Burlington Central regional.

The Rockets (23-6) will take on top-seeded Kaneland at 4:30 p.m. Monday for the regional title.

"Dave Hartwell pitched fantastic today," said BC coach Kyle Nelson. "He did exactly what we asked him to do. He changed speeds and kept the ball down."

Sycamore jumped ahead 1-0 in the fourth inning but the Rockets came back to take lead for good in the top of the fifth when freshman Tanner Scott launched a 2-run home run. Then the Rockets got some breathing room in the top of the seventh when Nick Hahn and Austin Jarvis jacked back-to-back homers.

"Our approach at the plate was real good the whole game," Nelson said.

Scott, Hahn and Jarvis each had doubles as well as the Rockets rapped out 10 hits in the game.

Nelson knows his team has a challenge ahead on Monday.

"Kaneland's a real good team," he said. "They beat us 6-0 early but we're a young team and we're a much better team than we were then. But they're the No. 1 seed for a reason and we'll have to play well."