CLAREMORE, Okla. - The No. 19-ranked Rogers State softball team stumbled on Sunday evening as Oklahoma Baptist handed the Hillcats a doubleheader sweep to split the four-game series.
The Hillcats took a six-run lead in the opener before giving up seven runs in the fourth frame. The Lady Bison held on to the one run advantage for the 7-6 win. The nightcap took extra innings to decide the winner as the Hillcats took a 1-0 lead in the fifth but gave up the equalizer in the bottom of the seventh. OBU earned the walk-off 2-1 win in the bottom of the eighth.
GAME ONE
The Hillcats started strong but were unable to hold the lead as they were unable to bounce back from OBU's seven-run, fourth frame.
In the top of the second Taran Threet got the RSU offense started with double to left field and Cailin Simpson followed with a walk. Desiree Ayarzagoitia belted a single to right field to bring Threet home and Ashlie Fauchier tallied a single to center to drive Simpson home.
Threet belted a RBI double in the third and scored on a two-run home run by Simpson to give RSU a 6-0 lead.
OBU scored all seven of its runs in the fourth with two outs. Shalee Cordell put the Lady Bison on the board with a RBI single. The Hillcats had a chance to get out of the inning in the next at bat with a fly ball by Dara Gray but a missed catch kept the inning alive and allowed a run to score. Consecutive walks allowed the third run to score. Amanda Harmon tallied a two RBI single and Hannah Morris belted a two RBU double to round out the scoring.
RSU left runners on base in the fifth and seventh innings unable to find the tying run.
Laura Fleck was tagged with the complete-game loss as she allowed seven runs, one earned, on eight hits with three strikeouts.
Chianelle Flores earned the win as she tossed the final 4.1 innings allowing just one hit while striking out three.
GAME TWO
The Hillcats let their one run lead slip away in the night cap and fell in extra innings.
RSU dented the scoreboard first as Fauchier tallied a two out single and stole second. She scored on a RBI single to left by Jamie King.
The Hillcats held OBU scoreless until the seventh as the Lady Bison found the equalizer with a two-out RBI double by pinch hitter Noel McDowell.
OBU held RSU scoreless in the top of the eighth and earned the game-winning run in the bottom of the inning. The Hillcats gave up back-to-back walks to load the bases and Krystal Johnson hit a bunt single to bring in the winning run.
Rogers State (38-11, 11-9) returns to action Tuesday as the Hillcats host Oklahoma City in their final regular season home event. The game will be streamed on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live and RSU Radio 91.3 FM.
