DHS batters Hubs for season-opening win

DeKalb's Danny Rodriguez (4) rounds second base after hitting a solo home run in the top of third during the Barbs' 19-4 clubbing of Rochelle in Monday's season opener. Rodriguez, the Barbs' No. 8 hitter, blasted the second homer of the game for DHS which ultimately smacked four home runs, five doubles and one triple off three RHS pitchers. Chronicle photo DON VAUGHAN

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ROCHELLE - DeKalb High School baseball coach Aaron Albright knew his team would be an improved hitting squad. However, he never thought it would take only one game to showcase that improvement. The Barbs tore through three Rochelle High School pitchers, tagging them for 10 extra base hits to post a 19-4 drubbing in their season opener on Monday. "We knew our team could hit the ball well," Albright said. "We know there will be games where we won't hit this well. We will take it when we can." The Barbs spent the offseason in the weightroom in hopes of improving their hitting. It paid off in a big way on Monday. DHS nailed Andrew Haws, Danny Argetsinger and Ronnie Ciganek for four home runs, five doubles and one triple. Todd Perez had the biggest home run, roping a grand slam to left center, which gave DeKalb a 15-2 lead in the fourth inning. "You can definitely tell the kids were in the weightroom during the winter," Albright said. "This team has a chance to hit extra bases every game this year." The Barbs quickly got to work on Haws. Joey Emanuelson got a single in the first at-bat, opening the flood gates for DHS. Emanuelson later scored on an error. Matt Taylor then hit a double to right center, which was followed up with a Ross Brennan home run to right field to give the Barbs a 3-0 lead. DeKalb continued its hot hitting in the second, rocking Haws for five runs on five hits. A triple by Matt Kohley scored Danny Rodriguez and Emanuelson. Kohley was doubled home by Taylor and Brennan hit the second double in a row, which brought home courtesy runner Javier Gonzalez to give DHS an 8-0 lead. After Rochelle scored its first run in the bottom of the second, DeKalb responded with its second homer of the game. Rodriguez, the Barbs' No. 8 hitter, blasted a solo shot to left on a 1-1 pitch to give DeKalb a commanding 9-1 lead. DeKalb then scored six runs on six hits in the fourth inning and four runs on three hits in the fifth to take a 19-2 lead. Rochelle scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 19-4. "We knew we could do this, but not like this," Brennan said. "We expected to come out firing." The offensive explosion saved Brennan from a rocky start. The pitcher stumbled in the first inning, giving up a walk to the first batter. Brennan faced a bases-loaded situation with one out, only to see Jeremy Morton make a diving catch in right field. Morton then got Hugo Rojas out at second for the force out and the double play to end Rochelle's scoring threat. Brennan pitched three and two-thirds innings, giving up six hits. He struck out two and walked four and gave up two of the four runs. "I wasn't locating my pitches," Brennan said. "My change-up wasn't there. That double play saved my butt." The Barbs continue their road play on Tuesday, heading to Machesney Park's Harlem High School for a 4:15 p.m. start.