BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - The Rogers State baseball team slipped past Oklahoma Wesleyan 7-6 on Tuesday evening in Bartlesville, Okla.
In the top of the ninth, Jeff Fyfe drew a one-out walk and Alex Cochran followed with a double to put runners in scoring position. Junior McKenzie Matthews tallied the game-winning RBI with a fielder's choice that allowed Fyfe to score.
The Eagles took an early lead in the contest as they dented the scoreboard in the bottom of the first frame with a RBI single by Nick Palese.
RSU answered in the top of the second with a trio of runs. Cody Campbell led off the inning with a single to shallow right-center field and Randy Ramirez followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Cade McKewon laid down a bunt and safely slid into first while the third baseman threw the ball out of the first baseman's reach, allowing Campbell and Ramirez to score and McKewon advanced to third. Poverud drove McKewon in with a single to shallow center field, giving RSU a 3-1 advantage.
The Hillcats tacked on two more runs in the fourth with the help of three OWU errors. The Eagles cut the lead to 5-4 in the fifth with an RBI single by Shane Elliot. OWU scored two runs in the six to take the lead. With runner on second and third, the Eagles tied the game by plating a run on a passed ball by Emmanuel De La Cruz. Mason Feeler gave OWU the lead with a squeeze bunt, allowing Nick White to score.
After a scoreless seventh, RSU knotted the score in the top of the eighth a RBI single by Taylor Estes. Tyler Garner came in to pitch for the Cats in the bottom of the eighth and faced the minimum, allowing the Cats to register the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth.
The Hillcats used six pitchers in the contest with senior Tyler Garner (2-0) earning the victory as he tossed the final two innings, allowing just one hit with four strikeouts. Senior Jacob Wenaas tossed the scoreless seventh, striking out the side. Starter Casey Cassity earned the no decision on the mound as he pitched three innings and allowed three unearned runs on three hits with three strikeouts.
Estes, McKewon, Ramirez and Lance Rymel tallied two hits apiece in the contest.
Rogers State (31-9) returns to action on Thursday as the Cats travel to No. 2 Oklahoma City University for a nine-inning contest slated to start at 6 p.m.
