BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – After the Rogers State baseball team rallied to tie the score at 4-4, Oklahoma Wesleyan scored a late run to down the Hillcats, 5-4, on Tuesday (March 15) at Doenges Memorial Stadium.
 
With the Hillcats trailing 4-2, Ismael Orozco tied the score at 4-4 in the eighth inning on a two-run home run to left field. Caleb Kohlmeyer also scored on the play to pull even with the Eagles.
 
The host Eagles plated the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. OKWU got the lead batter on when he was hit by a pitch. Looking to advance him to second, the Eagles put down a bunt that gave RSU little opportunity to field and an error put runners at the corners with no outs. A sac fly brought in the runner at third for the 5-4 advantage for the Eagles.
 
In the third inning, OKWU took advantage of an RSU miscue scoring an unearned run on a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 edge early.
 
The Eagles added three runs in the fourth inning to build a 4-0 lead using four singles in bring in the runs.
 
RSU cut the deficit in half with two runs in the fifth inning. With two outs, Zack Ashford doubled to center field and was brought home on a Colton Crocker single down the line. Kohlmeyer hit an RBI single to center to score Crocker for the 4-2 score.
 
Kohlmeyer finished 3-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and one run scored. Orozco went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. RSU totaled nine hits.
 
Cole Chandler made his first appearance this season starting and going the first two innings. He allowed only one hit. Josh Eclavea came in to pitch the next four innings with six hits and four runs allowed. Landon Nealon went the final two innings and gave up the one unearned run on one hit.
 
The Hillcats (15-6) return home for a three-game league series against Oklahoma Christian on Friday and Saturday. The series starts with a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Diamond Sports Complex. Coverage is available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.