CLAREMORE, Okla. – For the third time in the weekend series, the Rogers State softball team hung with nationally-ranked St. Mary's (Texas) but could not break through falling 3-0 Saturday afternoon at the Diamond Sports Complex.

The No. 7 Rattlers have won 13 straight and remain unbeaten in the Heartland Conference at 9-0 while holding the Hillcats scoreless over the final 20 innings of the three-game series picking up a road sweep.

After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning unscathed, RSU opened the second frame with Taran Threet's opposite-field single. A sacrifice bunt by Carley Conley moved Threet to second and the Hillcats added another base runner when Yolanda Rios was hit by a pitch. Kelby Fritz stepped to the plate and dropped a single to right center loading the bases with one out.

StMU starter Maricela Bissaro retired the next two batters keeping the game scoreless and the Rattlers quickly took advantage in the top of the third. Nicole Sardelich drew a walk to start the inning, and two RBI singles later, StMU had a 2-0 lead.

The Hillcats' deficit stretched to 3-0 in the fifth when a one-out walk by reliever Brooklyne Harbert came around to score on a single by Vianna Gutierrez.

Jackie Flores ripped a double, the second of her two hits on the day, opening the bottom half of the inning as RSU attempted to rally but she was caught in a run-down trying to advance to third after a missed sacrifice bunt effort.

Bissaro cruised through the final two innings preserving the five-hit shutout moving to 5-0 on the season as the Rattlers got their 11th shutout of the year. Rios was charged with the loss scattering four hits over 3.1 innings allowing two earned runs.