CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State took advantage of a slight break in the winter weather and earned a doubleheader sweep over Kansas Wesleyan Saturday afternoon at the Hillcat Complex in Claremore, Okla.
 

The Diamond Cats jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first game of the spring and held on for a 7-5 victory. RSU made quick work of the Coyotes in the nightcap, pounding out 13 hits en route to a 16-4 run-rule victory. Rob Rodriguez and Billy Balack cranked four hits apiece during the twin bill while Joe Manbodh tallied seven RBI on the day.

GAME ONE
 

The Hillcats took control early in the season opener and withstood a late rally by KWU to post a 7-5 victory.
 

Rodriguez ignited a four-run second inning with a double down the right-field line. He scored on a single by Joe Manbodh and freshman Keith Poverud drove home two runs with a double in his firth collegiate at-bat. Tyler Harold slapped an RBI double to right to cap the inning. Rodriguez added an RBI double in the third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Manbodh to make it 6-0.
 

RSU senior starter Grant Cosby cruised through the first three innings before running into a bit of trouble in the fourth. Kyle Hook ripped a two-run double to right to put the Coyotes on the board. Sophomore southpaw Jacob Wenaas relieved Cosby in the fifth and gave up two runs over the next two innings. However, junior Jordan Clark slammed the door in the seventh to earn his first save in a Hillcat uniform.
 

Cosby (1-0) picked up the victory with four innings of work. He allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Casey Barnes (0-1) suffered the loss for KWU after yielding six earned runs in just three innings of work.

GAME TWO 
 

RSU pounded the Coyote pitching staff and completed the sweep with a 16-4 run-rule victory in the nightcap. 
 

Rodriguez and Balak delivered RBI knocks as part of a four-run first inning. The flood gates opened in second as the Cats sent 13 batters to the plate while KWU cycled through four pitchers. KWU issued six walks in the frame and even forced in a pair of runs on free passes. Manbodh tagged reliever Nathan Azevedo for a grand slam homer to left field for the first RSU bomb of the season.
 

Zach Hamby put the Cats in position for the short-game win with a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth. Rodriguez followed with the knockout punch when he belted an opposite-field home run to right. Manbodh and Rodriguez combined for nine RBI in the game while junior Colton West tallied three hits.
 

Tyler Garner (3-0) earned the win with three innings on the hill. The right-hander allowed four runs on five hits while striking out four. Lefty Drew Taylor struck out the side in the fourth and freshman Casey Cassity worked a scoreless fifth. Starter Kirk Fridrich (0-1) took the loss for KWU.
 

Rogers State (2-0) will host Benedictine College in a four-game series next weekend at the Hillcat Complex. First pitch of Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for noon.