DALLAS, Texas – The Rogers State Diamond Cats notched victories over Howard Payne University and Dallas Christian College Sunday afternoon at Reverchon Park in Dallas.
The Hillcats yielded just one run in the twin bill as they edged Howard Payne 3-1 and run-ruled Dallas Christian 10-0.
GAME ONE (vs. Howard Payne)
A trio of RSU pitchers combined to hold down Howard Payne for a 3-1 victory in Sunday's opener.
Sophomore Casey Cassity allowed just one run over the first four innings. The southpaw scattered five hits while striking out three. Junior Freddy Soto followed Cassity with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Soto gave up one hit while fanning three. Junior Matt Sample came on to record the final out and earn the save. Sample struck out Will Garlick with two runners on base to seal the win.
Howard Payne laced three singles in the first inning to plate its only run of the game. The Hillcats responded with a run in the top of the second. Randy Ramirez doubled off the centerfield wall and scored on a groundout by Colton Campbell. Ramirez singled and scored the go-ahead run in the fourth and the Cats added an insurance run later in the inning thanks to pair of errors by the Yellow Jackets.
RSU managed to escape with the win despite leaving 10 runners on base and tallying just four hits in the contest. Ramirez swatted two hits and scored two of the Cats' three runs. Cassity (1-0) earned the win while Sample picked up his first save.
GAME TWO (vs. Dallas Christian)
The Diamond Cats made quick work of Dallas Christian for the second consecutive day as they posted a 10-0 win in six innings Sunday evening.
RSU benefited from 12 walks issued by the Crusaders' pitching staff and scored in each of its six at-bats. Brandt Barnes singled and scored in the first frame and the Cats quickly tacked on three more runs in the second. Ramirez belted a solo homer to lead off the third. RSU pushed single runs across in the fourth and fifth frames and Taylor Estes and Payden Yarmer cranked doubles in the sixth to reach the final margin.
Freshman Tyler Brown (1-0) allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings to earn the pitching victory in his collegiate debut. Junior Jim Miner retired the final six batters of the game in order to complete the rout. Seven different Hillcats registered hits in the contest while nine players tallied an RBI.
Rogers State (3-1) will complete its six-game road trip in the Lone Star state on Monday. The Hillcats will face Tabor College at 11 a.m. and Dallas Christian at 2 p.m.
