CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State baseball team completed the sweep over Baker University on Sunday afternoon at Hillcat Complex.
The Cats jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opener and continued to pour on the offense as they cruised to a 12-1 run-rule victory. RSU's performance was similar in the nightcap as the Hillcats plated four runs in the first inning en route to a 9-1 decision. RSU recorded a 14-4 run-rule in the first game of the series on Saturday evening.
GAME ONE
Rogers State started the afternoon strong as the earned five runs in the bottom of the second. Senior Kevin Radford got things started with a single up the middle. Juniors Billy Balak and Lance Rymel followed with consecutive singles. Rymel's single to right field brought Radford across home plate. Senior Brandt Barnes doubled to center and Balak reached home. An error by Baker third baseman Bryan Kindle allowed pinch runner Taylor Estes and Barnes to score. A Randy Ramirez single right-center plated Cade McKewon, the final run of the inning.
The Wild Cats cut RSU's lead in the top of the third as they added one run to make it a 5-1 game going into the bottom half of the inning. The Hillcats got the run back in the bottom of the inning as Rymel singled down the third baseline allowing Radford to score.
McKewon sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth with a grand slam over the left field fence to give RSU a 10-1 advantage. Radford hit a two-RBI double secure the 12-1 run-rule.
Sophomore Casey Cassity picked up his second win in as many outings this spring. Eric Faust closed the contest as he pitched one scoreless inning.
GAME TWO
Barnes wasted no time putting the Hillcats on the scoreboard in the night cap as he led off the first inning with a solo shot over the right field fence. Cody Campbell hit a sacrifice fly to bring McKewon home. Randy Ramirez was caught stealing which allowed Colton West reached home. Colton Campbell doubled to center plating Keith Poverud to give the Cats a 4-0 lead.
Ramirez hit a two RBI single to increase the Hillcats lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the third. Baker posted their lone run of the game in the top of the fourth. However, the Hillcats put the game away in the bottom half of the inning. A Ramirez triple sent Payden Yarmer across home plate. Joe Manbodh reached on an error by the shortstop allowing Ramirez and Poverud to score, giving RSU 9-1 lead.
Jordan Clark (2-0) recorded the win as he pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits. Tyler Brown pitched two innings as he gave up one unearned run with one strikeout. Senior Matt Sample pitched two scoreless innings and Zack Williams closed out the game, each fanning two batters.
Rogers State (9-1) will return to action next weekend as the host McPherson College in a four-game series at Hillcat Complex. First pitch of Friday's doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.
