FORT SMITH, Ark. – The Rogers State Baseball team picked up a split of Thursday's doubleheader at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, taking game one 13-9 before falling 5-0 in game two.
The Hillcats continued their hot stretch at the plate from yesterday's 19-run performance by jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first.
Brandon Bradshaw started the scoring with a two-RBI single to bring around
Zack Mann and
Christian Merriwether.
Bradshaw then came around to score on a single by
Griffin Keller. After the Hillcats loaded the bases, Keller scored on a
Christopher Ford walk. In the next at bat, Merriwether singled up the middle to score
Brendan Griffith and
Dylan Russell to cap the scoring.
Despite the early lead, the Hillcats would fall behind in the fourth as the hosts scored three in the first and then added four more runs in the fourth to go ahead 7-6.
Rogers State would go back in front in the sixth with another big inning. Merriwether started the scoring with an RBI single to left center, bringing around Griffith to tie the game at seven.
In the next at bat, Mann doubled down the left field line, scoring Ford and Merriwether as the Hillcats went ahead for good. Mann would cap the scoring in the inning with a double by Bradshaw.
The Lions would make a rally, scoring two in the bottom of the sixth, but
Brock Knoten came in to pitch a five-out save, his eighth of the season, to help the Hillcats hold on for the win.
Rogers State would add three more runs in the seventh inning. Merriwether singled home Griffith for the first run before scoring on a
Grant Farris home run as the Hillcats went ahead 13-9.
Corey Murphy picked up his seventh win of the season, allowing just three earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts.
In game two, the Hillcats and Lions were in a pitcher's duel into the late innings. The hosts would get one run across in the fifth inning to take the lead.
However, despite the Hillcats out-hitting the hosts in the game, Rogers State was unable to get a run across. Arkansas-Fort Smith would add four more runs in the seventh inning.
Keller led the team with three hits in the game, while Merriwether had two hits.
Rogers State will take on Arkansas-Fort Smith in the rubber match of the series on Friday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
