CHICKASHA, Okla. - The Rogers State baseball team registered a 15-3 run-rule win over the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in the opening game of the three-game Sooner Athletic Conference series in Chickasha, Okla.  at Bill Smith Park on Saturday afternoon.  

Due to heavy rainfall, Saturday's contest marked the first game of the week for the Hillcats who tallied 16 hits on the day.

Eric Baker led off the first inning with a single to right field and stole second base. The junior center fielder put the Hillcats on the board as he scored on a RBI single by Hector Rivera.

The Hillcats continued to pour on the offense in the second inning. Ramirez led off the inning with a single and a stolen second base. He scored on an error by the shortstop and Keith Poverud reached first on the play. Brandon Bargas hit a single to right field to put runners on first and third.  Baker singled down the right field line to send Poverud home. Rivera followed with an RBI single to give the Cats a 4-0 lead.

After a scoreless third, the Cats added two more runs to their lead with a two RBI single to center field by Colton Campbell.

The Drovers tallied their first run of the game in the fifth with a two-out RBI single to left field by Brandon Jewett. However, the Hillcats answered with five runs in the top of the sixth. With bases loaded, Rivera belted a two RBI single. Colton Campbell followed with a RBI double. Lance Rymel hit a RBI groundout and Cody Campbell reached on an error and earned a RBI to round out the scoring.

An RBI single by Owen Adams and a sacrifice fly by Konrad Mueller cut the USAO deficit to 11-3.

RSU sealed the win with four runs in the top of the seventh and Tyler Garner closed out the bottom of the inning, facing the minimum to complete the run-rule victory.

Shawn Spainhoward (6-0) tossed 5.1 innings and earned the win on the mound for the Hillcats. The junior allowed three runs on 10 hits while fanning five.  Garner finished the game, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings.

Rogers State (26-7, 9-6) will complete the series with USAO on Sunday with a doubleheader at Hillcat Complex. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.  Live audio will be provided