CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State baseball team split Saturday's doubleheader against McKendree at the Diamond Sports Complex, falling in game one 6-5 before winning game two 16-6 to claim the series.
 
How it Happened (Game One): The Bearcats scored the first runs of the game in the top of the second inning, after an error from the Hillcats. 
 
In the bottom second, the Hillcats scored a run on error of their own, after a hit from Ethan Rivera was miss-handled by the shortstop and led to a run from Kyle Simms. Later in the second, a walk from Mason Harvey with the bases loaded scored Victor Ceniceros.
 
The Hillcats would add another score in the fourth inning after a single to right-center from Harvey sent Rivera in for a run.
 
In the sixth inning, Christian Merriwether hit a ball deep into the gap in left center for a double, which sent Rivera in for his second run of the game. In the next at bat, Harvey added a double of his own to right field, which sent Merriwether home.
 
However, after an error from the Hillcats, the Bearcats put together a two-out rally in the seventh inning to score five unearned runs and edged the Hillcats for their first win of the series.
 
How it Happened (Game Two): The Hillcats got the scoring going in the second game after a single through the left side from Jonathan Soto sent Nick Follett home for the opening run.
 
In the second, the Bearcats responded by with two runs of their own to take the lead.
 
However, the Hillcats responded in the bottom of the second with four runs to regain the lead. The first run came after an error from the shortstop allowed Cameron Castaneda home to tie the game two. Two more runs were scored by Harvey and Merriwether, after Follett hit a double down the left-field line. The final run of the inning came by Follett after Brandon Bradshaw singled to center field.
 
In the third inning, the Bearcats scored two more runs, cutting the deficit to 5-4, but Drake Norton would keep the visitors scoreless after that into the seventh inning.
 
In the fourth inning, the Hillcats added two runs to extend their lead. With the bases loaded, Harvey scored after Kyle Simms was walked at the plate. A sacrifice fly ball to center field from Castaneda led to Follett's second run of the game.
 
The Hillcats would compile six more runs in the fifth inning, with most of the runs scored on a pair of two-run singles from Simms and Follett.
 
The Hillcats added another two runs in the sixth inning, after a Bradshaw single up the middle sent Merriwether and Harvey home to make it 15-4.
 
The Bearcats answered with two runs in the seventh to fight off the run-rule victory for RSU initially, but a walk off a sacrifice fly by Harvey, sent Castaneda home in the bottom of the seventh to trigger the 10-run decision.
 
Key Performances: Harvey went 4-for-7 from the plate with two doubles, three walks, five RBI's and four runs scored.
 
In game two, Bradshaw went 4-for-4, with one hit-by-pitch, three RBI's, and one run scored.
 
Castaneda went 3-for-6 at the plate with a walk, two RBI's, and two runs scored.
 
Follett went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, three walks, two hit-by-pitches, four RBI's, and four runs scored.
 
Merriwether had a double, walk, five hit-by-pitches, RBI, and four runs scored.
 
Corey Murphy pitched in 6.2 innings in game one. He picked tough luck lose giving up six runs, zero earned runs on four hits, one walk, and four strikeouts.
 
Norton pitched six innings in game two. He gave up nine hits, six runs, four earned runs, and had five strikeouts.
 
Notes: The Hillcats complete their nine-game home stand with a 9-2 record.
 
The Hillcats picked up series victories in both non-conference series prior to MIAA play, which begins next weekend.
 
Up Next: Rogers State will hit the road for the first of six straight away from home, as the Hillcats officially begin the MIAA era with a three-game series against Central Missouri next weekend. The Hillcats will play the Mules for the first time in program history