PLAINVIEW, Texas - It took extra innings to get the job done as the Rogers State baseball team completed the sweep over Wayland Baptist on Saturday afternoon with a 9-6 win in 11 innings at Wilder Field in Plainview, Texas.
RSU opened the contest with a 1-0 advantage in the first frame. Hector Rivera belted a triple down the right field line and Colton Campbell followed with an RBI single to put the Cats on the scoreboard. RSU struck again in the fourth, plating one run with help from a WBU error.
In the seventh, Eric Baker led off with a triple and scored on a single by Rivera. Cody Campbell added an RBI single to give RSU a 4-0 advantage. Rivera gave RSU a 5-0 lead in the eighth with a RBI single.
RSU pitcher Shawn Spainhoward cruised through the first seven innings of the contest, facing the minimum in each frame, just two innings from a perfect game. However, things unraveled for Spainhoward in the eighth. WBU tallied back-to-back singles followed by a walk to load the bases. Chris Burton hit a two RBI single down the right field line to put the Pioneers on the board. Ben Christian added an RBI double to end the outing for Spainhoward. Drew Taylor came in to relieve Spainhoward but the Pioneers continued to find success. Calvin Bass was hit by a pitch and runners advanced on a pass ball, allowing one run to score. Dilon Chancellor hit an RBI ground out to tie the game 5-5 after eight innings.
Neither team was able to plate a run in the next two frames but the Hillcats broke the tie in the top of the eleventh inning. Cade McKewon put the Diamond Cats back on top with an RBI single to center field. With the bases loaded, Taylor Estes reached on a fielder's choice and plated Jeff Fyfe. Rivera and Colton Campbell both drew bases loaded walks to add runs and the Hillcats led 9-5 going into the bottom of the inning.
Brian Allen led off the eleventh inning with a double and eventually scored on a RSU error but that was as close as the Pioneers would get as the Hillcats secured the win and registered their first Sooner Athletic Conference sweep of the season.
Five Hillcats saw time on the mound for the Hillcats. Mason Marquette claimed his first win of the season, pitching 2.1 innings. The southpaw allowed one unearned run on three hits with one strikeout.
Rivera and McKewon led the Hillcat offense with three hits apiece. Rivera drove in three runs and McKewon tallied one RBI.
Rogers State (17-1, 3-0) continues conference play on Tuesday as the Diamond Cats host Oklahoma Christian. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and live audio streaming will be provided at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.
