GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The Rogers State baseball team rounded out its four-game series against Arlington Baptist with a doubleheader sweep on Saturday afternoon at QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

The Diamond Cats plated seven runs in the third en route to a 9-2 victory in the opener. In the night cap, the RSU defense stifled the Patriots as the Hillcats claimed a 6-0 win and their first shutout of the season.

GAME ONE

Eric Baker got things started for the Hillcats in the top of the second with a two out RBI double down the left field line, sending Keith Poverud across home plate.

Shawn Spainhoward and the RSU defense gave the offense a spark going three up, three down bottom of the second inning.

The Diamond Cats exploded with seven runs in the third frame. The Hillcats loaded the bases and Rymel was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run of the inning. Cody Campbell scored on a miscue by the Patriot's shortstop and a Keith Poverud sacrifice fly plated Brandon Bargas. Colton Campbell single through the hole at shortstop and Estes scored. Baker and Rivera kept things going with a pair of RBI singles and Randy Ramirez rounded out the big inning with a RBI double.

In his first collegiate appearance, freshman Blake Heston led off the fifth inning with a triple down the right field line. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Baker to give the Cats a 9-0 lead.

The Patriots spoiled the Diamond Cats shutout with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The game was staffed by a trio of pitchers. Spainhowerd tossed three scoreless innings, fanning four batters. Senior Jim Minor followed, tossing two shutout innings and allowing just one hit. Kyle Deaton closed out the game with one strikeout, allowing two unearned runs.

GAME TWO     

In the finale, RSU dented the scoreboard early with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Baker reached on a walk, stole second and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Ramirez scored on a sacrifice fly by Lance Rymel to give the Cats a 2-0 lead.

Cade McKewon hit an RBI single in the fourth and Baker scored off a Patriots error after leading off the inning with a double in the fifth. RSU sealed the win in the seventh with a pair of RBI by Ramirez and Rymel.

Five pitchers saw time on the mound in the night cap. Senior Eric Faust started the contest and pitched two innings with two strikeouts. Jacob Wenaas hurled two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts. Joe McGee, Freddy Soto and Mason Marquette closed out the final three shutout innings.

Eric Baker led the Hillcats on the day as he went 4-for-6 at the plate with three RBI and three runs scored.

Rogers State (4-0) opens its home portion of the schedule on Tuesday at Legion Field in Claremore against Pittsburg State (Kan.). First