LUBBOCK, Texas - The Rogers State baseball team was unable to hold onto an early lead as it fell to Northwood (Texas) 8-5 in game one at the NAIA National Championship Opening Round Lubbock Bracket on the campus of Lubbock Christian University.
The Hillcats opened the game with a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Senior Brandt Barnes led off the inning with a walk and tied the single-season stolen base record after taking second. Cade McKewon moved Barnes to third with a sacrifice bunt and Colton West hit an opposite field single to shallow left field to send Barnes home.
The Knights used three hits to knot the score in the bottom of the inning. The Cats got out of a bases loaded jam with a double play to end the inning.
After a scoreless second inning, the top of the order continued to produce for the Hillcats. With two outs, Barnes and McKewon drew back-to-back walks. West singled to right field to plate Barnes and regain the lead. Randy Ramirez hit a blooper single to rightfield to score McKewon and the NU right fielder bobbled the ball allowing Colton West to score.
Forman Cutter led off the fourth with a solo shot over the right-centerfield fence to cut the Cats lead to 4-2. However, RSU retired the next three batters to minimize the damage in the inning.
The Knights tied the game in the fifth with a two-out solo homer by catcher Johnny Aldaz. NU took the lead in the seventh as they plated five runs on five hits and had the help of one RSU error.
RSU trailed 8-4 going into the top of the ninth. The Diamond Cats were able to load the bases with one out. Brant Barnes belted the ball to deep centerfield however; it was caught at the wall by Nico Taylor and scored just one run. The Hillcats rally fell short as NU closer Corey Sartor retired the next hitter.
Senior Grant Cosby (8-2) was tagged with the loss on the mound. The right-handed hurler tossed 6.2 innings and allowed eight runs, six earned, on 12 hits with two strikeouts. Kane Kimrey registered the win as he tossed eight innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits while fanning eight.
Rogers State (45-14) moves into an elimination game on Friday at 11 a.m. against Hasting College (Neb.). The game will be broadcast live on RSU Radio 91.3 FM and on www.rsuhillcats.com. The contest can be viewed live at www.lcuchaps.com courtesy of LCU. For more information about the NAIA National Championship Opening Round visit www.naia.org.
