CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State baseball team bashed 23 hits in a Heartland Conference doubleheader against Newman Friday afternoon at the Diamond Sports Complex getting a split by dropping the opening 4-2 before claiming a 12-0 run-rule win in game two.
 
Cesar Rodriguez and Andrew Vanisi each totaled five hits in the twin bill as Mason Marquette and Michael Fusselman pitched complete games for the Hillcats.
 
GAME ONE
The Jets scored four unanswered runs in the opening game overcoming an early deficit to come away with a 4-1 victory.
 
The Hillcats struck for the lead in the first as Chase Knott pulled a lead-off double down the line in left. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Caleb Kohlmeyer before Rodriguez drew a one-out walk. Reigning Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week, Vanisi, stepped to the plate and delivered a RBI single under the glove of the third baseman for a 1-0 RSU lead.
 
In his final home start, fifth-year senior Marquette retired the Jets in order through two innings until Lucas Norton started the third with a double. After moving to third on a stolen base, he crossed home plate on Tyler Bugner's RBI single. The hit extended Bugner's hit streak to 19 games.
 
Newman posted a three-run seventh to break the deadlock rallying with two outs. Back-to-back singles led to pinch hitter Croix Sedillo plating both runners on a RBI double. The Jets struck again in the inning on their fourth-straight, two-out hit taking a 4-1 advantage.
 
The Cats would not go down without putting up a fight getting one run back as Alex Cochran reached first on a walk. The senior moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and scored on a double over the head of the center fielder by Kohlmeyer. With the tying run up to bat, Rodriguez grounded out to short ending the game.
 
Marquette (5-6) went the distance for the fifth time in 2015 allowing four runs on eight hits while picking up three strikeouts and no walks in a losing effort. Lucas Schauer (8-3) got the win for the Jets scattering seven hits in the complete game allowing two runs.
 
GAME TWO
RSU got its bats going in the finale to earn the split pounding out 16 hits for a 12-0 victory behind Michael Fusselman's five-hit shutout. Rodriguez was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBI while eight players had hits in the win.
 
Rodriguez dropped a two-out double into right center in the first, and again it was Vanisi providing a RBI single to get the scoring started for the Hillcats in front 1-0. The lead doubled in the third as Cochran was hit-by-pitch to open the frame. Rodriguez gapped his second hit scoring Cochran for a 2-0 advantage.
 
RSU used the long ball in the bottom of the fourth stretching its lead to 5-0 as Trae BoBo launched a home run into left to lead the inning. After Blake Gipson doubled inside the line in left, Zack Ashford sent a 2-0 pitch over the scoreboard and into the RSU Nature Reserve for his second home run of the season.
 
The onslaught continued in the fifth with a pair of RSU runs on four hits before a five-run sixth put the game out of reach. The Hillcats tallied six hits in the frame getting a two-run single from Rodriguez and a two-run double off the bat of BoBo. Blake Heston closed the scoring with a pinch-hit RBI single up the middle as the Cats earned the split, winning 12-0.
 
Fusselman (4-5) was in command the entire game throwing 98 pitches for the complete-game shutout. The junior allowed just five hits in front and friends and family while striking out six. Newman starter Lane Ramsey (1-5) took the loss throwing three innings giving up five runs on six hits.
 
RSU (15-26, 6-17 HC) closes the three-game series with the rubber match against Newman Saturday afternoon on Senior Day. The final home game is slated for a 1 p.m. start with the senior festivities set to take place prior to first pitch at approximately 12:30 p.m. Catch all the action live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.