EDMOND, Okla. – The Rogers State Softball team completed a sweep of the Edmond Regional Festival II Tournament with victories over St. Edward's and Oklahoma Baptist on Sunday at the Broncho Softball Field on the campus of Central Oklahoma.
The Hillcats came from behind to defeat former Heartland Conference foe St. Edward's 8-7 in game one. Rogers State then defeated in-state rival Oklahoma Baptist 9-1 in the weekend finale.
How It Happened (SEU): The Hillcats fell behind in the second inning against the Hilltoppers, as St. Edward's took a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run.
It would take the Hillcats until the fourth inning to respond, but the Hillcats plated five runs to take the lead. After the bases were loaded,
Elexis Watson was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run. In the next at bat,
Makayla Bowman hit a grand slam over the left-field fence to give the Hillcats the lead.
Rogers State would add to the lead in the fifth inning, as the Hillcats loaded the bases again before
Danelle Day worked a bases loaded walk to put the Hillcats ahead 6-2. Watson then knocked a 2-1 pitch down the left-field line to score two more runs for the Hillcats.
St. Edward's would make a come-back bid of their own, scoring four runs in the sixth off of a RBI double and a three-run home run. The Hilltoppers then added a run in the seventh but the Hillcats were able to close out the game with a one-run victory.
How It Happened (OKBU): Oklahoma Baptist took the early lead in the Hillcats second game of the day. The Bison scored in the top of the first on a single up the middle. However, it would be the only run scored against
M'Kayla Hillman.
Rogers State answered back in the bottom of the first as Bowman doubled home
Tailee Reding to tie the game at 1.
In the second inning,
Jaylan Gibson double to left field to score
Kimberli Presnell to give the Hillcats a 2-1 lead. Day then singled home Reding and Gibson as the Hillcats led 4-1 after two innings.
The Hillcats would plate two more runs in the third inning, first on a single by
Payton Stroud, as she singled up the middle to score Bowman. Reding then hit a single through the left side, bringing around Stroud for the second run of the inning.
Rogers State would wrap the scoring in the fourth inning, first with back-to-back doubles by Watson and Bowman. Watson brought in Day, who led off the inning with a single. Bowman then scored Watson before coming around to plate the final run on a single by Stroud.
Key Statistic: Rogers State had 34 baserunners in the two games, converting them to 17 runs. The opposition had just 12 base runners in both games combined.
Key Performances: Hillman had a strong outing in the circle for the Hillcats in game two, allowing just one run on three hits with no walks. She recorded four strikeouts in the game.
Bowman led the Hillcats at the plate, reaching safely in all but one plate appearance. Bowman was 4-for-5 with two doubles and the grand slam. She also had a walk and a hit by pitch, finishing with a .857 on base percentage in the two games. She also had a team high six RBIs and shared for a team high three runs scored.
Watson was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, two walks, and a hit by pitch. Watson drove in four runs and scored twice on the afternoon.
Reding finished the day 2-for-5 at the plate with three walks. Reding added a stolen base and finished with an RBI and two runs scored.
Notes: With the wins over St. Edward's and Oklahoma Baptist, Rogers State completed a five-game sweep this weekend at Oklahoma Christian and Central Oklahoma.
The Hillcats extended their win streak to eight straight games.
Rogers State has drawn at least five walks in each of the last seven games. For the season, the Hillcats have had at least four walks in ever game and have an NCAA leading 89 walks.
The Hillcats added two more stolen bases against Oklahoma Baptist. Rogers State is a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen-base attempts this season.
Rogers State's four doubles against the Bison in game two is a season high for the Hillcats.
Up Next: The Hillcats will take a break from invitational/festival play as Rogers State hosts Texas Woman's University in the 2020 home opener for the Hillcats. Rogers State will welcome in the Pioneers for a doubleheader on Wednesday, February 19. The non-conference battle is set to begin at 2 p.m. at the Diamond Sports Complex.
