OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Rogers State baseball team opened its three-game series against Mid-America Christian with a 9-0 victory in Oklahoma City Thursday afternoon.

The Diamond Cats broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third. Brandon Bargas and Eric Baker drew consecutive walks and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch to start the inning. Hector Rivera followed with a sacrifice bunt, allowing Bargas to score. Baker also reached home on the play thanks to a wild throw by the pitcher that allowed Rivera to advance to second base. Rivera made it a 3-0 game as he scored on a wild throw by the catcher later in the inning.

RSU tacked on a run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly by Rivera that allowed Keith Poverud to score after leading off the inning with a walk.

The Hillcats continued to pour on the offense in the sixth. With runners on first and third, Rivera belted a RBI single to right field. Later in the inning, Cody Campbell hit a two RBI single and Lance Rymel scored on an error to give RSU an 8-0 lead.

Rivera added his final RBI of the afternoon in the seventh with a single to right that allowed Poverud to score.

Shawn Spainhoward (8-1) tossed six shutout innings to earn the win on the mound. The St. Peters, Mo. native fanned seven hitters while allowing four hits and issuing just one walk.

Grant Zimmerman (0-2) was tagged with the loss for the Evangels as he tossed two innings and allowed three runs, one earned, on one hit with four walks and one strikeout.

The Evangels committed four errors in the contest while leaving seven runners stranded. 

Lance Rymel stole three bases and Rivera tallied three RBI.

Rogers State (37-12, 18-10) will complete the series with MACU on Saturday with a twin bill starting at 2 p.m. The Hillcats will honor 12 seniors prior to first pitch.