Hillcat Softball Moves Past Midland in Doubleheader Sweep
Yolanda Rios struck out 19 batters in Saturday's doubleheader versus Midland (photo by RSU Sports Information). CLAREMORE, Okla. –
Rogers State softball closed out its weekend slate of games with a doubleheader
sweep of Midland University (Neb.) Saturday at the Diamond Sports Complex.
The Softball Cats used a three run bottom of the fifth to
earn a 5-1 victory in the first game and in the nightcap of the twin bill put
together a five run fourth inning for the 8-2 win.
GAME ONE
RSU opened the scoring in the bottom half of the first
inning with a RBI triple by Taran Threet scored Candace Monigold to put the
Hillcats in front 1-0.
A single by Nicole Andrews through the hole at shortstop
scored Jennie Sayker to tie the game for the Warriors at 1-1 in the visitors
half of the fourth. Coach Mark Dicus’ squad answered with a pinch hit, RBI
double by Katrina Loy scored Toni Shurtliff as RSU regained the lead 2-1 in the
home half of the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, a double to deep right-center
field by Yolanda Rios scored Monigold to push the lead out to 3-1. Shona
Guerrero followed with a single to left field to bring runners home from third
and second putting the score at its final mark of 5-1.
Rios went the complete game allowing one earned run on five
hits as she walked five but fanned eight Warrior batters.
Sarah Leimser received the loss for Midland as she allowed
five runs, four earned, on eight hits.
GAME TWO
In the second game of the doubleheader the two squads were
unable to put runs on the board in the first three innings.
Despite the temperatures cooling as the sun set in Claremore
the Hillcat bats warmed up in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run by
Desireé Ayarzagoitia to left field. RSU wasn’t done as Monigold doubled to
center with two outs to score Ashlie Fauchier and Jamie King. The Warrior center
fielder was unable to cleanly field the ball resulting in Kailin Simpson
scoring on the bobble. Threet double to deep center scoring Monigold from
second and giving RSU the 5-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth a throwing error to first by the
Hillcat second baseman attempting to get the double play at first resulted in
the Midland runner scoring from third. Two batters later a two0out double into
the left field corner scored Jennie Sayker from first trimming the Hillcats
advantage to 5-2.
Fauchier led off the bottom of the sixth with a single up
the middle. Linsey Curtis, pinch hitting for King, blasted a two-run home run
to left-center field on her first pitch building the lead back to five runs.
Rios’ single to shallow right with two outs helped her own
cause as Monigold scored to put the score at its final mark of 8-2.
Rios earned the complete game victory giving up two unearned
runs on six hits walking just one Warrior while fanning 11 batters on just 103
pitches.
Sammy Hislop received the loss for Midland as she allowed
eight runs, six earned, on 10 hits. She walked four and struck out three as
Midland moves to 0-2 on the season.
Candace Monigold went 4-for-6 on the day with two RBI and
two stolen bases with two doubles. Taran Threet ended the day with two RBI as
she batted 3-for-5 with two doubles and a triple versus the Warriors.
Rogers State (11-0) will travel to Chickasha, Okla. for the
Sooner Athletic Conference season opener versus USAO on Tuesday, March 5 at 1
p.m.
