CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State Hillcats opened the 2009 baseball season with a doubleheader split against Doane College (Crete, Neb.) Saturday afternoon at the Hillcat Complex.
 

More than 300 fans witnessed a very competitive twin bill amid unseasonably warm February temperatures in Claremore, Okla. Doane scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the first game, 4-2. RSU bounced back to claim the nightcap with a 3-2 decision.

GAME ONE
 

The Hillcats positioned themselves for victory in the opener before being undone by the Tigers three-run rally in the seventh inning.
 

Doane scored an unearned run in the second inning to claim the early lead on a two-out-hit by Josh Reed. Zach Hamby's RBI double in the fifth tied the game and Hank Gray drew a bases loaded walk in the sixth to give RSU a 2-1 lead.

However, the Hillcats couldn't close the door. Tyler Johnson belted a solo homer with one out in the top of the seventh to re-tie the contest. Anthony Dunn followed with a single, setting the stage for Anthony Hincy. With two outs and a full count, Hincy laced a liner into right center that escaped the grasp of a diving Brandon Denton. The ball caromed off Denton's body and rolled all the way to the fence as Hincy rounded the bases for an inside-the-park home run.

Ryan Littlejohn's single brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Coby Wright followed with a shot to right, but it was nabbed by a diving Dunn to end the threat and seal the win for the Tigers.

Chance Brull was credited with the win for Doane after working one inning of scoreless relief. Both starting pitchers earned no decisions despite strong efforts. Grant Cosby allowed only one unearned run over four innings of work for the Hillcats. He tallied five strikeouts and did not yield a walk. Ryan Otto hurled five innings for Doane, allowing two earned runs with five strikeouts and three walks. Randy Jones took the loss for RSU after giving up three earned runs in three innings of relief.

Hincy went 3-for-3 while picking up the game-winning hit for the Tigers. Rob Rodriguez went 2-for-4 in his first game for the Hillcats.

GAME TWO
 

The Hillcats scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and slammed the door on the Tigers over the final two innings to take the nightcap, 4-2.
 

Luis Caraballo led off the fourth inning with a double to left center and scored on a single by Hamby to put RSU in front, 1-0. Michael Albert put Doane on top with a two RBI single up the middle in the top of the fifth.
 

This time the Hillcats answered the bell with two runs on four hits in the bottom half of the inning. Joe Mandbodh opened the home half of the fifth with a double to right and courtesy runner Tyler Harold scored on a bunt single by Denton. Blake Kelley singled later in the inning and raced home on a two-out hit by Littlejohn.
 

Littlejohn's rip to right proved to be the game winner as reliever Cristian Baez retired the last seven Doane hitters in order. Baez worked the final three innings to pick up the win. He allowed two runs while fanning three batters with one walk. Kyle Schachenmeyer surrendered both fifth inning runs and was tagged with the loss for the Tigers. He worked just two-thirds of an inning before being lifted. RSU starter Sam Cornell tossed four spotless innings and was credited with a no decision. The southpaw allowed just one hit with four strikeouts and four walks.
 

Denton, Littlejohn and Manbodh had two knocks apiece as the Hillcat out-hit the Tigers, 9-3.

Rogers State (1-1) and Doane College return to the diamond Sunday to complete the weekend series. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for noon at the Hillcat Complex.