CLEBURNE, Texas – Jackson Simonsgaard pitched a complete game shutout and Grant Farris hit a three-run home run to propel the Hillcats into the winner's bracket of the Heartland Conference Tournament, as Rogers State defeated Arkansas-Fort Smith 4-0 at The Depot at Cleburne Station Thursday evening.
 
On a very windy day with the conditions blowing 15-20 mph in from left field, Simonsgaard scattered six hits over nine innings, recording five strikeouts in his first nine-inning, complete-game shutout.
 
"The conditions were tough and keeping the ball out of the air was key number one," said head coach Chris Klimas. "I thought we would be well equipped to do just that because that is our home ball park and we have to find ways to win games like this every day."
 
The Hillcats played in their first Heartland Conference Tournament game in program history, but showed composer to take advantage of mistakes from Arkansas-Fort Smith to take a lead in the third inning.
 
After an error and an infield single, Farris hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season to put the Hillcats ahead 3-0. The three RBIs for Farris also gave him 53 on the season, breaking the NCAA-era single-season record at Rogers State.
 
Christopher Ford reached on an error by the pitcher to start the inning and Christian Merriwether then singled on a bunt to the right side, putting runners on first and second for Farris two batters later.
 
"This is fun and it has been a long road for us to get here," said Klimas. "These guys are playing for guys that came before them and didn't have this opportunity. I told them it was a great opportunity and don't let it pass, have a good time with it, enjoy it and be us."
 
The Hillcats would add another run in the seventh inning, providing an extra run of support for Simonsgaard. Dylan Russell singled to lead off the inning and then advanced to second on a groundout by Merriwether two batters later. Zack Mann then brought him around with an RBI single to right field.
 
Griffin Keller had the other hit for the Hillcats in the game. Nick Follett and Brendan Griffith each had a walk.
 
Rogers State will now face St. Edward's on Friday with a spot in the Heartland Conference Championship game on the line. The winner advances to the final, while the loser will play in an elimination game Friday night for a chance to advance to Saturday. First pitch for the Hillcats is set for 3:30 p.m.