CLAREMORE, Okla.- The Rogers State baseball swept their doubleheader against Truman State to start their weekend series against the Bulldogs.
 
The Hillcats would shutout the Bulldogs in the first game, 6-0, and win the next game with a final score of 4-2.
 
How it Happened (Game 1): The Hillcats would score their first run of the game in the bottom of the second after Jonathon Soto would reach base on a throwing error and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kyle Simms. A single from Cameron Castaneda would bring home Soto to give the Hillcats a 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the third, another fielding error and then a wild pitch would put runners Christian Merriwether and Mason Harvey on third and second. Nick Follet would then hit a sacrifice fly to score Merriwether for the second run of the game for the Hillcats.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Hillcats would once again capitalize on an error by the Bulldogs, as Castandeda would score on a throwing error from the Bulldogs' shortstop to put the Hillcats ahead 3-0.
 
Another throwing error by the Bulldogs' shortstop would allow Nick Follet to score the Hillcats fourth run of the game in the fifth inning.
 
In the sixth inning, the Hillcats would score two more runs. A single from Harvey would score Victor Ceniceros and Dylan Russel from second and third to get the final score of 6-0.
 
How it Happened (Game 2): The Bulldogs would start the second game strong by scoring two runs in the first inning off back-to-back RBI doubles.
 
The Hillcats would not score their first run of the game until the bottom of the third inning. A single from Harvey would score Russell from second to make the score 2-1.
 
In the fifth inning, Ethan Rivera would hit a solo home run to left field to tie the game for the Hillcats.
 
In the next inning the Hillcats would score another two runs. A sacrifice fly from Russell would score Soto from third base. The Hillcats would then load the bases and Harvey would take a RBI walk to give the Hillcats a 4-2 lead.
 
Key Statistics: The Bulldogs would have six errors in the first game which would give the Hillcats a total of four unearned runs in the game.
 
Players of Note: Jackson Simonsgaard would pitch a one-hit shutout in the first game of the day. After giving up a hit and the only baserunner the senior would allow, Simonsgaard would then pick-off that baserunner. He would also strike out six batters in the game.
 
Ethan Rivera would hit the first home run of the season at the Diamond Sports Complex for the Hillcats.
 
Nick Follet, Victor Ceniceros, and Jonathon Soto would each have a multiple hit game in one of the two games against Truman State.
 
Mason Harvey tallied a total of four RBIs from the doubleheader, leading the team for the day.
 
Up Next: The Hillcats will take on the Bulldogs again in a doubleheader on Sunday, February 16. The first game is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. at the Diamond Sports Complex.