LAREDO, Texas – Rogers State swept the Texas A&M International Dustdevils in Friday's doubleheader at Jorge Haynes field as the Hillcats took game one, 4-2, and used a big ninth inning in game two for an 16-8 victory.
 
Game One
 
The Hillcats used nine hits to total four runs and held the Dustdevils to just two runs on nine hits in a game one victory for RSU to begin the three-game series Friday.
 
Matt Seubert reached on an error by the TAMIU third baseman to lead off the game and scored on a two-out double to left center field by Chris Miguel as the Hillcats took a 1-0 lead.
 
RSU added another run in the third inning as Bradley Degnan singled to center field with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. A two-out double to left center by Jason Marley plated Degnan and pushed the lead to two runs.
 
The Hillcats expanded the lead to 3-0 in the fourth as Garrett Hall led off the inning with a home run down the left field line.
 
TAMIU trimmed the deficit to one run as the Dustdevils plated two runs in the fifth inning on a single to left center by sophomore Mario Ramirez.
 
A solo home run by Miguel in the seventh inning built a two-run cushion for the Hillcats, 4-2, and RSU closer Rusty Huber was able to work out of a bases loaded jam in the home half of the inning. The senior right-hander struck out a Dustdevil looking and forced a ground out to seal the two-run Hillcat victory.
Tim Luce (3-2) earned the victory as the Hillcats' southpaw starter allowed two runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts in the five innings. Huber registered his fifth save of the season in two innings of action allowing three hits while fanning two batters and walking one.
 
The Dustdevils starter Devon Torres (1-3) received the loss in 5.2 innings of work allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
 
Game Two
 
RSU used seven runs in the top of the ninth inning to slam the door on any comeback attempts by the Dustdevils in the second game Friday as the Hillcats came away with a 16-8 victory.
 
The Hillcats entered the final inning leading by just one run after TAMIU posted two runs in the home half of the eighth inning.
 
A wild pitch scored Ismael Orozco to stretch the lead to two runs but a Sam Davison grand slam expanded the lead to six runs with one out in the seventh inning. The Hillcats weren't finished as Bradley Degnan reached on a strike out wild pitch and advance to third on a throwing error by the Dustdevils catcher. A single by Miguel scored Degnan and the Hillcats second baseman reached home on a single by Orozco to center field as the Hillcats led 16-8.
 
Justin Magstadt closed the door in the ninth inning forcing a pop out and two ground outs for the win.
 
It was a hot start to the game for the Hillcats with four runs scored in the first inning. A RBI double by Degnan plated the Hillcats first run on game two and Miguel continued his strong offensive performance on the day with a RBI ground out.
 
Ismael Orozco reached on a fielder's choice to score Degnan and junior Garrett Hall singled to left field to score Jason Marley as the Cats built a 4-0 advantage.
 
TAMIU responded with back-to-back one run innings to cut into the Hillcats lead at 4-2 through two complete innings.
 
In the third, Hall singled to center to score Marley but TAMIU answered in the home half with a solo homerun by William Mora as RSU led 5-3.
 
Matt Seubert single to left field in the sixth inning scoring Sam Casinelli and would score on a Degnan single to right field. The Dustdevils posted two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning to trail 8-6.
 
A leadoff double by Degnan kick started the eighth inning for RSU and the Hillcats right fielder was sent home on a sacrifice fly by Davison.
 
Davison finished 3-for-4 with six RBI and drew one walk as the Hillcats' first baseman hit two home runs in the nightcap. RSU's Chris Miguel wen t 5-for-10 on the afternoon with four RBI, a double, and a home run.
 
The RSU pitching staff allowed 12 hits while the Hillcat bats came alive with 19 hits in game two.
 
Rogers State (16-8, 2-3) will close out the series at Texas A&M International (5-14, 0-5) with a single, nine-inning affair on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Jorge Haynes Field.