CLAREMORE, Okla.- The Rogers State baseball team rounded out the regular season with a 3-2 victory over the University of Central Oklahoma on Thursday evening at Hillcat Complex.
With the win, the Hillcat close out the season 6-1 against NCAA Division II opponents and 21-2 in non-conference play.
UCO broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth as Kevin Blue hit a two-out double down the left field line and Austin Rycroft followed with a RBI double deep into left field to dent the scoreboard. However, RSU matched the run in the bottom of the frame. Colton Campbell led off the inning with a double down the left field line and Lance Rymel followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Cody Campbell reached on a walk to load the bases. The Hillcats tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Cade McKewon.
The Hillcats took the lead in the bottom of the fifth frame with an RBI single up the middle by Colton Campbell, sending Brandon Bargas home after leading off the inning with a single.
Rycroft struck again in the sixth with a two-out solo shot over the over the left field fence to knot the score. RSU answered in the bottom of the inning with some help from the UCO defense. Randy Ramiez led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a stolen base. He reached third on a pass ball. With two outs, the UCO pitcher thought he was out of the inning as Eric Baker hit a ground ball to the shortstop but the ball was misplayed, allowing Ramirez to score and Baker to reach first. The run proved to be the difference as RSU earned the 3-2 win.
Shawn Spainhoward started the contest and tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts. Kyle Duncan (7-1) registered the win as he tossed three innings and allowed two runs on five hits with two walks while fanning one. Brandon Bargas closed out the game and earned his second save of the season as he tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with six strikeouts.
Rymel and Colton Campbell tallied two hits apiece to lead the Cats.
Josh Rolan (4-2) was tagged with the loss on the mound as he pitched five innings and allowed three runs, two earned on seven hits with two walks.
Rycroft led the Bronchos as he went 3-for-4 from the plate with both of UCO's RBI.
Rogers State (41-12) will await the release of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament bracket which will take place at Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma Baptist University on May 2-5.
