CHICKASHA, Okla. - Rogers State came away with its third conference series split of the season Monday afternoon against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha.
 

The Hillcats hit two home runs to post an 8-5 victory in the opener. RSU rallied to force extra innings in the nightcap before ultimately falling short in a wild eighth frame. The Cats scored four runs in the top of the eighth, but surrendered five in the bottom of the inning for a 12-11 loss.

GAME ONE
 

RSU banged out 13 hits to top the Drovers, 8-5 in the first game of the afternoon.
 

After falling behind 3-1 in the first inning the Hillcats came roaring back with three runs in the top of the third. Megan Wood led off with a homer and Natalie Smith and Lillian Nevarez followed with back-to-back doubles. Senior Sara Walkup delivered the big blow with a three-run bomb to left field in the top of the fifth. USAO scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn't complete the comeback bid.
 
Jenny Johnson pitched her 14th complete game of the season to notch her 16th win. She allowed five runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out three. Presley Tepe took the loss for the Drovers after giving up seven earned runs in 4.1 innings of work.
 

Nevarez paced the Hillcats with three hits while Wood, Smith, Johnson and Tanya Koch had two apiece.

GAME TWO
 

USAO outlasted the Hillcats for a 12-11 victory in the nightcap. The game featured 33 hits and four lead changes over eight innings.
 

RSU opened the game with four straight hits and held a 4-0 lead after the first half inning. The Drovers scored a run in each of the first three innings and then assumed control with a four-run fourth. An RBI double by Leslie Beaty made it 7-4 in favor of USAO.
 

Smith doubled and scored to cut the lead to two in the fifth. Nevarez and Johnson hit their way on and scored on a single by Walkup in the seventh to force the extra inning. Wood gave RSU the lead with an RBI double in the eighth and Nevarez and Johnson followed with back-to-back home runs. However, Johnson was unable to hold the lead as the Drovers ripped four consecutive hits to start the bottom of the inning. Caitlyn Crotty scored the winning run on a grounder to second base by Michelle Bauer.
 

Johnson (16-10) suffered the loss after giving up 12 runs, nine earned, over 7.1 innings. Ashlyn Kimberly was credited with the win for USAO after getting the final out in the top of the eighth. Johnson led the RSU offense with four hits and three RBI. Nevarez contributed three hits, three runs and three RBI.
 

Rogers State (18-12, 3-7) did not play its Tuesday doubleheader at Mid-America Christian due to a rainout. A makeup date has not been set. The Hillcats will travel to Oklahoma City University Thursday to face the Stars in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.