OKLAHOMA CITY- The Rogers State baseball team's comeback bid fell short on Friday night as Oklahoma Christian tallied an 8-7 win at OC Field.
The Hillcats fell behind 5-0 in the fourth but answered with six runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead. The Eagles regained the advantage in the eighth with three runs while the Hillcats managed just one run in the top of the seventh, suffering their second straight loss.
Southpaw Shawn Spainhoward held OC to just two hits through the first three frames of the game. The Hillcats struggled to get the offense going and the Eagles dented the scoreboard first with a five-run fourth inning. Kyle Duncan took over on the mound in the fourth and OC tallied consecutive singles to put runners on the corners to start the inning. Blake Stringer hit a RBI single and Sean Murphy followed with a squeeze bunt to take a 2-0 lead. Caden Cleveland belted a two RBI double and Garrett Stephenson capped the scoring with a RBI single.
The Hillcats took over the lead in the top of the fifth, plating six runs. With bases loaded, Baker doubled to clear the bases and reached third on an error by the centerfielder. Colton Campbell tallied a sacrifice fly and Tyler Wheeler registered a RBI groundout to give RSU the lead.
After two scoreless innings OC scored three runs on three hits with the help of two RSU errors in the eighth inning. Trailing by two runs in the top of the ninth, Colton Campbell belted a one-out double to left field and Wheeler walked. With two outs, Blake Heston reached base on an error and Campbell scored. However, the comeback was cut short as OC pitcher Chris Burgess ended the game with a strikeout to seal the win.
Brandon Bargas (4-2) suffered the loss on the mound for RSU as he tossed 3.1 innings, allowing three runs, one earned, on five hits with five strikeouts.
Burgess earned the win for OC as he tossed the final two innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits.
Rogers State (19-5, 4-0) returns to Sooner Athletic Conference action on Thursday as the Cats travel to Oklahoma Baptist for a twin bill starting at 2 p.m.
