CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 19 Rogers State baseball split the doubleheader versus St. Gregory's Friday afternoon at Hillcat Complex.
The Diamond Cats were unable to capitalize on nine hits in the opening game as RSU tallied just one run falling to SGU 4-1. In the nightcap, pitcher Shawn Spainhoward threw a one-hit, complete game as the Cats topped the Cavaliers 2-0.
GAME ONE
RSU scored its lone run early in the first contest as a Lance Rymel sacrifice fly scored Eric Baker from third in the first inning.
It wasn't until the top of the third that the visiting Cavaliers put runs on the board. Back-to-back walks opened the inning followed by a ground out putting two runners in scoring position with one out. SGU capitalized on a Jordan Funtila two RBI single up the middle putting the Cavs in the lead 2-1.
SGU added insurance as Dillon Streber singled to lead off the top of the fifth. A single up the middle and hit-by-pitch moved Streber over to third and loaded the bases for the Cavs. A double by Trevor Nelson down the leftfield line scored two runs and pushed the SGU lead to 4-1.
The Cats tallied four hits in the final three innings but were unable to plate a run as St. Gregory's moved to 4-0 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
Chance Gilbert (3-2) was the winning pitcher tossing a complete seven innings giving up nine hits and just one earned run while striking out five batters.
Brandon Bargas (2-1) recorded his first loss of the season as the junior from Owasso, Okla. threw a complete game giving up four runs on five hits. The southpaw fanned eight batters and issued three walks.
GAME TWO
In the nightcap junior Shawn Spainhoward continued his dominance early in the season fanning five and issuing one walk while facing the minimum 21 batters.
He was aided by the Hillcats finding home plate in game two. The first Diamond Cat run came in the bottom of the third inning as Jeff Fyfe led off with a double to deep left. Fyfe scored on the next at bat when Emmanuel De La Cruz singled to centerfield giving the Cats a 1-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the sixth a single by Cade McKewon to right scored Blake Heston and put the Cats up 2-0.
SGU went three up, three down in the top of the seventh and the Hillcats registered the win 2-0.
Spainhoward (4-0) threw the complete seven inning affair allowing one hit while forcing the Cavs into six fly outs and three ground outs in the win as the Hillcat defense committed one error.
Michael Sisson (2-1) received the loss throwing the complete game allowing two runs on seven hits. Sisson struck out three batters and allowed one walk. St. Gregory's (9-12, 4-1) was handed its first loss in conference play this season with the defeat in game two.
Hector Rivera led the way in game two going 2-for-3.Cade McKewon went 4-for-5 from the plate for the day including one RBI.
Rogers State (22-4, 7-3) will turnaround to play game three of the series versus St. Gregory's tomorrow, Saturday, March 10 at noon in Shawnee, Okla.