SAN ANGELO, Texas - After winning in its NCAA Tournament debut last night over Lubbock Christian, Rogers State will take on host Angelo State Friday night in the NCAA South Central II Regional. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. at Foster Field.
Rogers State is coming off of a 9-5 victory over Lubbock Christian in the tournament opener on Thursday.
Griffin Keller had a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate, driving in three runs and scoring another.
Nick Follett had a home run for the Hillcats in the second inning.
Brendan Griffith's two-run double in the third inning opened up the game for the Hillcats.
Sean Robinson picked up the win in relief and
Brock Knoten extended his school record for saves in a season with his 14th, which is also tied for the national lead in Division II.
Tonight's game with Angelo State will be the first for Rogers State against the Rams. The two programs have never met in baseball. Angelo State is 42-9 and was 22-2 in conference play in 2019, but comes into the national tournament having lost two straight; first against St. Edward's in the regular season finale and then to Cameron in the Lone Star Conference semifinals.
Angelo State will be coming off of a game against Lubbock Christian, which gets underway at 3:30 p.m., before they take on Rogers State.
Tournament Scenarios for Friday:
- If Angelo State wins against LCU in the 3:30 game on Friday, Lubbock Christian will be eliminated, and Rogers State's game with Angelo State Friday night will be the first of a best-of-three series.
- If Lubbock Christian defeats Angelo State in the 3:30 game on Friday, Rogers State could eliminate Angelo State in the game Friday night.
The Hillcats improved to 13-6 all-time in national tournament play. Rogers State's last national tournament appearance came in 2013, when the Hillcats made a strong run all the way to the Avista-NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
