MUSKOGEE, Okla. – The Rogers State baseball team pulled out a pair of come-from-behind victories over Bacone College Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Field.
The Diamond Cats' pitching staff turned in a solid effort while a trio of hitters combined to provide the late-inning heroics. Junior Randy Ramirez belted a three-run double in the ninth inning of the opener to deliver a 6-3 win while Jairo Valdez and Brandt Barnes roped two-out hits in the seventh inning of the nightcap to complete a 3-2 victory.
GAME ONE
The Cats fell behind early and had to claw their way back to force extra innings before winning the opener with three runs in the ninth.
RSU plated two runs in the top of the first inning to stake claim to the lead at the outset. Colton West and Ramirez roped back-to-back doubles and Kevin Radford followed with an RBI single up the middle.
However, the Warriors quickly responded with three runs in the home half of the second. Casey Gillespie and Steven Smith ripped consecutive singles before Anthony Seabolt cranked a three-run homer over the boards in left field off starter Jacob Wenaas.
The lead held until the sixth when Radford was hit by a pitch and later scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Frensly Martina. Both teams squandered scoring opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings before the Diamond Cats finally broke through.
Bacone reliever Eric Aguillard walked the bases loaded to start the ninth and Ramirez promptly cleared them with a shot into the left field gap. RSU reliever Mario Mena made sure the lead stayed intact by retiring the Warriors in order in the ninth. Mena, Zack Williams and Jim Miner combined for six innings of scoreless relief. Mena (1-0) earned his first career win with two strong innings of work.
Ramirez went 4-for-4 with four RBI, including the game-winning hit. West chipped in with two hits and two runs scored.
GAME TWO
The Hillcats delivered a riveting encore with a two-out rally in the seventh to complete the sweep over the Warriors.
Again, RSU struck first as Barnes walked and scored on a groundout in the top of the first inning. Bacone answered with a run in the bottom half of the first and jumped in front when Brandon Jackson doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth.
That looked like it would be more than enough run support for Kurt Smallen, who cruised through the first six innings. Smallen allowed just one hit through the first six frames and retired the first two batters in the seventh. Keith Poverud worked a two-out walk and pinch-runner Taylor Estes dashed to second for a crucial stolen base. Valdez slapped a two-strike single up the middle to score Estes with the tying run and Barnes followed with the game winner, an RBI double off the wall in right.
Freddy Soto came on in the bottom half of the inning to record his first career save by retiring the Warriors in order. Drew Taylor (2-1) picked up the victory with one inning of scoreless relief. Starter Jordan Clark tossed five effective innings, scattering three hits while tallying five strikeouts. Barnes notched two of the Cats' three hits in the contest.
Rogers State (25-4) returns to Sooner Athletic Conference action this weekend as the Hillcats host Northwestern Oklahoma State for a three-game series. First pitch Friday is slated for 3 p.m. at the Hillcat Complex in Claremore.
