CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team returned to its winning ways on Thursday night as it swept Northwestern Oklahoma State at Hillcat Complex in Claremore.
The Hillcats used 10 hits, including two home runs, to register a 6-1 victory in the opener. RSU surged past the Rangers in the nightcap as they belted four home runs and run-ruled NWOSU 10-2 in five innings. Sophomore Amanda Edwards picked up both pitching victories as she tossed nine and two third innings.
GAME ONE
The Rangers recorded one run in the top of the first to take an early lead. However, the Hillcats held NWOSU scoreless the rest of the way as they produced six runs for the win.
The Hillcats knotted the score 1-1 in the bottom of the second as Shelby Brogdon belted a solo shot over the centerfield fence.
Edwards led off the fourth with a single to centerfield and Logan Zamora hit a double to put runners on the corners. Brogdon scored Edwards with a single to left field and Dina Ortiz executed a squeeze bunt to bring home Zamora. Brittany White singled to right field and allowed Brogdon to score while Ortiz advanced home on the throw from the outfield.
Edwards rounded out the RSU scoring in the fifth with a solo shot blasted over the right field fence. It was the Trail, British Columbia native's 10th home run of the season.
Edwards (16-9) earned the win as she tossed six innings while allowing six hits and one run with four strikeouts. Junior Ashley Wailand closed out the seventh and retired the side.
Brogdon and Edwards garnered two hits and two runs apiece in the game.
GAME TWO
In the night cap, RSU posted runs in each of the first five innings and earned a 10-2 run-rule.
White led off the first inning with a triple off the wall in centerfield and scored and an error by the third baseman, Katie Thomas, to give the Hillcats a 1-0 lead.
Ortiz led off the second with a double down the leftfield line and reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Katrina Loy. Ashlie Fauchier scored Ortiz on a sacrifice fly to centerfield and pushed the Cats lead to 2-0.
The Hillcats blasted three home runs in the fourth. Sarah Harvey notched the first homer of the inning and scored Taran Threet. Edwards followed with a first-pitch solo shot over the centerfield fence. Brogdon rounded out the scoring in the fourth with a solo home run over the fence in left-center field to give the Hillcats a comfortable 9-0 lead.
The Rangers tallied a pair of runs in the top of the seventh but Loy ended the game early with a solo home run over the center field fence.
Edwards (17-9) earned the win in the circle as she tossed three and two third innings of scoreless relief. She allowed three hits while striking out three hitters.
Rogers State (27-16, 7-9) will host the Boarder War Invitational at Hillcat Complex on Friday and Saturday. They will kick off the tournament on Friday at 12 p.m. as they play Central Baptist College. The Cats will play Evangel at 4 p.m. and round out play on Friday with a game against Culver Stockton at 6 p.m.
