Claremore, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team tallied a doubleheader split on Tuesday night at Pittsburg State (Kan.).

The Hillcats avoided the sweep with a 4-3 victory in the nightcap after falling 9-1 in the opener.

GAME ONE

Despite taking an early one-run lead in the second, the Hillcats were unable to hold on giving up runs in each of the next three innings as the Gorillas registered the short-game victory.

Jackie Flores and Makenzie Kirk belted consecutive doubles in the second frame to plate RSU's lone run of the game.   

PSU took the lead in the third. After three consecutive singles to start the inning, a bases-loaded fielding error led to tying the score and Nicole Nease followed with an RBI groundout to give the Gorillas the 2-1 advantage.

In the fourth, PSU scored on a wild pitch and pounded out six hits to plate six runs with the help of one RSU error in the fifth to seal the run-rule.

Freshman Brooklyne Harbert was tagged with loss in the circle, allowing nine runs, six earned, on 12 hits with one strikeout.

GAME TWO

PSU took an early 1-0 lead in the finale but RSU battled back to take a 3-1 advantage in the third. Kassie Brugmann opened the third frame with a walk and Katie Ellington followed with a bunt single. Jamie Kowalick reached on an error that drove in Brugmann and Cailin Simpson followed with a two-RBI double to center field to cap the scoring.

Taran Threet pushed the lead to 4-1 with a RBI single to center field. The Gorillas threatened with one run in each of the last two innings but RSU got out of the jam in the seventh to seal the win.

Senior Yolanda Rios tallied the win for RSU, allowing three runs, one earned, on nine hits with seven strikeouts.

Rogers State (11-25) returns to action on Friday as the Hillcats travel to Wichita, Kan. for a three-game series against Heartland Conference opponent Newman University. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 4 p.m. The series finale is set for noon on Saturday.