CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball fell 9-4 in game three of the first MIAA series of the season against No. 4 Central Missouri on Sunday at the Diamond Sports Complex.
Skyler Nelson led the Hillcats (4-3, 1-2 MIAA) with a two-run homerun, as they dropped the rubber match of the series with the top-five ranked Mules (6-4, 2-1 MIAA).
How It Happened: Both teams were scoreless in the first three innings, but it was Rogers Stat who had the better of the chances. In the second inning, the Hillcats got runners to second and third base, but RSU was unable to get them across home plate, stranding two in scoring position.
The Mules would strike first with a trio of runs in the fourth inning, and then again in the fifth inning. Central Missouri used a home run in the fourth, followed by a two-out rally in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead.
The Hillcats would respond with a big sixth inning to cut into the Mules lead.
Brandon Bradshaw started the scoring by doubling down the right field line and then scoring on a
Jerry Davis RBI single through the right side.
In the next at bat, Nelson would smash a 1-0 pitch over the right center fence for a two-run home run to cut Central Missouri's lead to 6-3.
Following a
Kyle Simms double and
Brooks Betcher single,
Victor Ceniceros would bunt for an RBI single to the right of the pitcher, which let Eric Leef, who pinch ran for Simms, score what would be the final run of the game.
The Hillcats would then load the bases but were unable to score again in the inning after a strikeout and fielder's choice ground out stopped the Hillcat rally.
The Mules would add three more runs in the top of the ninth, including two homeruns, to defeat the Hillcats by a final score of 9-4.
Key Statistic: Central Missouri displayed their power and hit three home runs in the game.
The Mules also scored four runs with two outs and stranded six base runners while Rogers State stranded 12 base runners and score no two-out runs.
Players of Note: Simms went a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate for the day, including a double in the second inning.
Nelson finished the game 1-for-2 from the plate with a pair of walks. He finished with two RBIs and a run.
Bradshaw, Davis, and Leef all had a run on the day. Bradshaw and Davis each had a walk.
Corey Murphy allowed seven hits, six runs, and two walks in 4.2 innings of play. He also had two strike outs.
Nick Marinac tossed a solid 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits and had two strikeouts.
Notes from the Game: All nine starters in the batting lineup for Rogers State finished the game with at least one hit in the game.
Rogers State batters had a season high 11 strikeouts in the game.
The Hillcats have had at least one hit batter in the last six games.
Rogers State finished with a series high 11 hits, which is also the second most this season, and four walks in the game.
Up Next: Rogers State will welcome in Missouri Western for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday at the Diamond Sports Complex. The Hillcats will take on the Griffons in a doubleheader on Friday and a single game on Saturday.
