CLAREMORE, Okla. – Jackson Simonsgaard tossed a scoreless seven innings while the Rogers State Baseball team's offense plated six runs in a 6-1 victory over the College of the Ozarks Wednesday afternoon at the Diamond Sports Complex.
 
Simonsgaard finished one strikeout shy of the Rogers State D2 record in the non-conference game, fanning nine Bobcat batters, while allowing just five hits and a walk.
 
The game started out rough initially for Simonsgaard, who hit two batters and allowed a single in the top of the first as Ozarks (3-4) was able to load the bases with just one out. However, the junior settled in and recorded a pair of strikeouts out get out of the early jam.
 
The Hillcats (5-2) would get a baserunner to third in the bottom of the first but stranded him there with an inning-ending double play.
 
Both teams would struggle offensively early on, but the Hillcats would manage to take the lead in the fourth inning. Rogers State drew a pair of walks and then loaded the bases with a hit by pitch to start the fourth inning. After a pop out, Brendan Griffith hit a sacrifice fly to right field, as Grant Farris tagged from third.
 
In the fifth inning, Farris would be on first with Zach Mann on third, setting up a double steal opportunity. Farris forced a throw to second and that allowed Mann to score from third on a stolen base.
 
Then with Farris on second, a failed pick-off attempt ended up in left center field and Farris was able to take third and come around to score, putting the Hillcats up 3-0.
 
In the seventh inning, Farris would score Mann again, this time singling to right field, allowing Mann to come around from second. Farris would take second on the play, while Griffin Keller moved to third.
 
Two batters later, both baserunners would come around to score as an errant pick-off attempt from the catcher ended up down the left field line.
 
The visitors would get one run back in the top of the eighth inning off of Sean Robinson.
 
Case Woodard came in to pitch a scoreless ninth inning for the Hillcats in a non-save situation.
 
Rogers State will be back in action on Thursday, hosting Northeastern State for a single, nine-inning game at the Diamond Sports Complex. The two teams will begin a three-game series over three days, with the other two games being played at Northeastern State on Saturday.