CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State baseball team won both games in a doubleheader against McKendree on Friday, at the Diamond Sports Complex, defeating the Bearcats 4-2 and 7-5 to open up the four-game series.
 
How it Happened (Game One): The Bearcats would score the first run of the game in the top of the first inning, after an error from the Hillcats allowed a run to score from second. 
 
Jonathan Soto would add the first run for the Hillcats in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI to score Mason Harvey. Nick Follett would then give the Hillcats the lead when he took home on a hang up play between first and second by Soto.
 
At the top of the sixth inning, the Bearcats would score a run to even the game at two.
 
The Hillcats would answer with a run of their own early in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a triple by Brandon Bradshaw, Soto hit a sacrifice fly ball that scored Bradshaw from third. Then, following a walk by Kyle Simms, a RBI triple from Cameron Castaneda brought around Simms for the final run of the game.
 
Jackson Simonsgaard would then pitch a scoreless seventh to finish the complete game shutout.
 
How it Happened (Game Two): Like game one, the Bearcats would score again in the top of the first with a base hit.
 
In the second inning, the Hillcats would answer after a RBI single to center field from Castaneda sent Bradshaw in for a run.
 
The Bearcats would have a huge fifth inning, scoring four runs, including three unearned by way of another error from Rogers State.
 
The Hillcats would respond with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Castaneda would score the first run in the fifth inning after Christian Merriwether was walked with the bases loaded. The second run of the inning came after Harvey grounded out to the right side, allowing Victor Ceniceros to score from third base.
 
The Hillcats would take over the game in the seventh inning. A hit from Harvey down the right-field line and an error by the right fielder allowed three runs to score. Harvey would score later in the inning after Soto hit a double to right-center field.
 
The Hillcats would go on to win by a score of 7-5.
 
Key Performances: Castaneda finished the day going 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple, two RBI's, and two runs scored. In-game two, he reached safely in all four plate appearances, with one hit and three walks.
 
Simonsgaard earned his third win of the season, pitching his second complete game. The left-hander allowed one earned run, two overall, in seven innings of work with four hits, two runs, and six strikeouts.
 
Soto went 3-for-6 from the plate with two doubles, and two RBI's.
 
Harvey went 2-for-7 from the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.
 
Ceniceros went 1-for-3 from the plate with two RBI's and a run scored.
 
Sean Craig pick up the victory in relief in game two, moving to 1-0 on the season. He tossed two scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk.
 
Vinny Riggio would pick up his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning in game two.
 
Notes: The Hillcats improve 6-1 at the Diamond Sports Complex this season.
 
After not having a triple in the first nine games, the Hillcats hit two in the sixth inning of game one to help take the lead.
 
Up Next: Rogers State will wrap up the four-game series with McKendree on Saturday. First pitch in the 7/9 doubleheader is set for noon.