CLAREMORE, Okla. - For the second time in the series, it took a come from behind effort for the Rogers State baseball team to get the victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State 10-9 at the Hillcat Complex on Saturday.
On a dreary afternoon in Claremore, the Hillcats trailed 9-3 going into the bottom of the eighth however; sophomore Cody Campbell set the stage for a dramatic ending with a two-out grand slam over the centerfield fence to bring the Cats within one run of the Rangers.
RSU retired the side in the top of the ninth and the Hillcats took the momentum into the bottom of the inning.
Jairo Valdez led off the ninth with a walk and Cade McKewon singled to right field, putting runners on first and third. Colton West followed with a walk to load the bases with one out. Randy Ramirez hit into what should have been a RBI fielder's choice to score Valdez, the tying run and put runners on the corners. However, heads up base running by McKewon and third base coach Ryan Brittle recognized that the catcher went to cover first base and home plate was left unmanned, allowing McKewon to jog home and score the game winning run.
NWOSU posted runs in each of the first three innings to take a 4-0 lead. The Hillcats cut the lead in half in the fourth a pair of runs drove in by Lance Rymel and Colton Campbell.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, McKewon grounded out which allowed Frensly Martina to score from third base and the Cat trailed by just one run. Designated hitter C.J. Aguayo pushed the Rangers lead to 9-3 with a three-run homer in the top of the eighth.
Taylor (3-1) registered the win on the mound for the Cats as he pitched one and two third scoreless innings. Starting pitcher Grand Cosby recorded the no decision as he tossed five innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on eight hits with four strikeouts.
Ranger closer Derek Epps (0-1) is tagged with the loss on the mound as he gave up two runs on one hit with one strikeout.
The Campbell brothers led the Hillcat offense as they combined to drive in six of the Cats nine RBI. Cody went 1-for-1 with a grand slam while Colton finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored.
Rogers State (27-5, 10-3) returns to the diamond on Tuesday as they host College of the Ozarks in a twin bill with first pitch set for 3 p.m. For more information on Hillcat Baseball visit www.rsuhillcats.com.
