In the nightcap the Rocks, behind a seven-hit effort from Steve Mumma, rallied to earn a 4-3 win for a sweep of the Pioneers.

``We just wanted to have good at-bats and good approaches,'' Rock Island coach Andy Campbell said after the Rocks finished the Big 6 campaign at 8-2. ``Basically, we wanted to put the ball in play against Alleman. When (Jimmy) Conroy and (Jake) Hurry are on they can be tough to beat.''

George (5-1) flirted with perfection in handcuffing the Pioneer batters through the first four frames. The big right-hander held Alleman hitless until Pioneer designated hitter Keith Schulte's leadoff single to right spoiled George's bid.

``Clayton knew we needed a big game out of him,'' Campbell said. ``I think he likes facing quality competition like Conroy and he stepped it up a notch. He threw strikes and kept the ball down, and that's what we need out of him. As our No. 1, he understands that and did a great job of it.''

Meanwhile, the Rocks played a waiting game with Conroy. The Pioneer ace threw three strong innings before Rocky catcher Jake Meisenbach doubled to lead off the fourth.

Meisenbach's hit opened the flood gates for Rock Island. Before the frame ended, Rocky sent 14 batters to the plate for 10 runs and eight hits.

Highlighting the stanza was senior Marcus Youngquist's grand slam to right field, Jason Amble's two-run home run and RBI singles from Youngquist, Josh Wignall and Jake Vroman.

``Rock Island is an awfully good hitting team,'' Alleman coach Bob DeDoncker said after the Pioneers dipped to 21-10, 3-5. ``Jimmy had three real good innings then all of a sudden just lost it. Rock Island picked up on it and hit the ball well. They just outplayed us today and that's exactly what happened.

``Jake (Hurry) had a great effort in the second game and I'm really pleased with the way the kids came back and played and battled.''

Hurry struck out 12 while yielding only one walk in the five-hitter. And those hits were big for the Rocks.

After the Pioneers grabbed a 1-0 edge in the second on Justin Wykle's double to score Adam Pagett, the Rocks bounced back to deadlock matters in the fourth when Wignall singled to plate Youngquist.

Alleman broke the tie with two runs in bottom of the fourth. Junior Todd Willers doubled with two outs and senior Nick Armetta sent Willers to the plate with a double to left. Armetta scored on Ryan Jones' single to give the Pioneers a 3-1 margin.

The Rocks again pecked away at the Alleman lead. Senior Dan Morrison reached on an error and came home on a Nick Carmack single in the fifth, and Meisenbach collected his second extra base hit of the day, powering a 3-1 Hurry offering over the right field fence for a solo home run and a 3-3 stalemate.

The Islander catcher then sealed the Rocks come back bid, doubling home Vroman with what proved to be the winning run.