ALVA, Okla. – The Rogers State softball team was swept by Northwestern Oklahoma State in the doubleheader Thursday afternoon at ARC Ranger Softball Field.
Early runs by the Lady Rangers resulted in RSU unable to rally in game one as the Cats fell 7-6. In the nightcap it took host NWOSU nine innings to complete the sweep of the Hillcats as RSU lost 4-3.
GAME ONE
The Lady Rangers posted five runs in the first inning on three hits as RSU committed two errors in the opening frame.
Coach Mark Dicus' squad responded in the top of the second as Katrina Loy sent the first pitch over the left field wall to trim the Lady Ranger lead to 5-1. The solo shot marked the seventh homerun of the season for the Claremore, Okla. native.
The Hillcats cut into the NWOSU lead again in the top of the third inning on a first pitch, two-run shot to left field by Taran Threet as the Cats trailed 5-3.NWOSU answered in the home half of the inning beginning with a Jasmine Braxton RBI double to right field. The Lady Rangers weren't finished as a Hillcat error scored Braxton from third following a bunt play by NWOSU and putting the home squad up 7-3.
RSU plated two runs in the fifth starting off a RBI triple Ashlie Fauchier scored Niki Keck. Fauchier scored the next at-bat on a Shona Guerrero single to third and put RSU down two runs, 7-5.
In the top of the seventh Kaitlin McCool single to lead off and moved to second on a Fauchier ground out. McCool scored two batters later on a Threet single to center to put RSU behind 7-6. But the home squad was able to force out number three on a pop out to first and secure the victory.
Ashton Fitzgerald received the win for NWOSU as she pitched 4.1 innings allowing five earned runs on nine hits. Kellie Mason earned the save in 2.2 innings of relief work giving up one earned run on three hits.
Laura Fleck received the loss for the Cats pitching six innings and allowing seven runs, three earned, on eight hits.
Threet went 3-for-4 for the Hillcats with three RBI including a two-run homerun in the third inning. RSU tallied 12 hits while the Lady Rangers had just eight hits.
GAME TWO
The scoring didn't carry over in the early innings of the nightcap as the two squads were held without a run through four and a half innings.
The Lady Rangers broke the seal in the bottom of the fifth on a Megan Snyder single to center scoring Katie Glenn to put NWOSU up 1-0.
RSU took the lead in the next half inning as Laura Fleck doubled to center scoring Gabrielle Cox and Threet to put the Cats in the lead 2-1. The Hillcat advantage was short lived as NWOSU scored a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning tying the game at 2-2.
The international tie breaker was in effect as the game entered extra innings resulting in runs for each side and pushing the game into the ninth.
In the top of the ninth the Hillcats were unable to capitalize off Loy reaching first on a misplayed grounder by the Lady Rangers. Fleck was tagged out trying to steal home on a double steal play that moved Loy to second.
The home team was able to score in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off single by Cheyanne Terry to right scoring Braxton and giving the Lady Rangers the 4-3 victory.
Fleck (28-16) received the loss as the freshman pitched the complete 8.2 innings allowing four runs, three earned, on 10 hits while fanning three.
Kellie Mason registered the win in relief pitching the final four hitless innings as she struck out six. Starter Jasmine Braxton pitched five complete innings giving up two earned runs on six hits and fanning three batters.
Rogers State (36-18) will travel to Oklahoma City University Tuesday, May 1 to face the Stars in a 5 p.m start.
