LAREDO, Texas – The Rogers State baseball team took the three-game series at Texas A&M International with a 7-4 victory over the Dustdevils on Saturday in the series finale after the two teams split a doubleheader yesterday at Jorge Haynes Field.
 
After falling behind 2-1 in the fourth inning, RSU scored runs in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to rally for the 7-4 victory. Five of those runs came in the fifth and sixth innings.
 
The Hillcats went up 1-0 in the fourth inning when Samuel Davison, who was named the Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week on Monday, doubled to the gap in left to plate Garrett Hall for an early 1-0 advantage.
 
The host Dustdevils put up two runs in their half of the inning to gain a 2-1 lead. A sac fly tied the game at 1-1, and TAMIU took the lead with an RBI double to left field.
 
In the fifth inning, RSU regained the advantage with three runs, including two on a home run. After Cesar Rodriguez brought in Caleb Kohlmeyer with a double to right center, Chris Miguel went yard for a two-run home run to left that scored also scored Rodriguez as the Hillcats went in front, 4-2.
 
Two RBI singles in the sixth added to the RSU margin. Jordan Garr plated Davison with a single to right. Rodriguez added the second run of the inning as his single to right scored Cameron Kirk for a 6-2 advantage.
 
TAMIU tried to keep pace with an RBI single in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 6-3.
 
With the bases loaded in the seventh inning, the Hillcats added one more run when Kirk's fielder's choice produced a run as Jason Marley scored from third.
 
The Dustdevils added a run in the ninth, but closer Rusty Huber came in to end the game with a strikeout and groundout to give RSU the 7-3 win.
 
Davison and Rodriguez led the Hillcat offensive attack with three hits each. Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored. Davison finished 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Kohlmeyer, Miguel and Marley all had two hits as RSU registered 15 hits in the game. Nine Hillcats tallied hits.
 
Tyler Kruse started getting the win as he pitched six strong innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. Huber picked up his conference-high ninth save getting the final two outs with a strikeout and a groundout.
 
The Hillcats (21-13 overall, 8-7 Heartland Conference) return to Claremore for a doubleheader against Southern Nazarene April 12 at 2 p.m. at the Diamond Sports Complex. Coverage will be available on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.