BETHANY, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team settled for a doubleheader split against No.25 Southern Nazarene on Saturday afternoon at Cypert Athletic Complex in Bethany, Okla.
In the opener, all the scoring happened in the first frame as the Cats tallied three runs and clung to the lead the rest of the way, winning 3-1. The Storm controlled the nightcap as they plated three early runs and cruised to a 4-0 victory.
GAME ONE
Kaitlin McCool led off the top of the first with a double off the wall in center field. With two outs, Taran Threet drew a walk and Linsey Curtis followed with three-run home run over the center field fence to give RSU the lead. The homer was the Collinsville, Okla. native's 14th of the season.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Jill Clemence tripled to right-center field. She scored on a RBI groundout by Amy Madden to cut the Cats lead to 3-1.
The Crimson Storm kept the game interesting in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, SNU hit back-to-back singles and RSU pitcher Laura Fleck issued her lone walk of the game to load the bases. Kylie Lang flew out to center field and Whitney Ackers broke for home without tagging up and was called out on the play, giving RSU the win.
Fleck (21-5) registered the win in the circle as she tossed the complete game and allowed one run on seven hits with one strikeout.
Kaci Crawford (8-6) was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts.
GAME TWO
The Hillcats stranded runners in each of the final five innings as SNU took an early lead and sailed to the 4-0 victory.
The Crimson Storm plated two runs in the first frame with RBI singles by Clemence and Katie Turner. They added a run in the second with an RBI by Clemence.
In the bottom of the six the Storm tacked on an insurance run. Aubrey Jones led off the inning with a double to left field and advance to second on a wild pitch. .Jordan Jones hit a fly ball to move her to third base and she scored on a groundout by Kaylee Allan.
Fleck (21-6) suffered the loss as she tossed one third of an inning and allowed two runs on four hits. A'Lex Koonce pitched the final 5.2 innings and allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts.
Jeneva Nelson (7-2) earned the complete game shutout victory as she allowed two hits with six strikeouts.
Rogers State (29-8, 2-4) returns to action on April 3 as the Hillcats travel to the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha, Okla. for a twin bill. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
