Claremore, Okla. – Rogers State baseball picked up a three-game series sweep against conference opponent Missouri Western after the Hillcats took game three with a 6-5 walk-off win at the Diamond Sports Complex.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth,
Jonathan Soto hit a one-out single to left field to score
Ethan Rivera from third as the Hillcats (7-3, 4-2 MIAA) held off a comeback bid from the Griffons (2-9, 1-5 MIAA).
How It Happened (Game One): The Hillcats got the scoring going very quickly in the first, as they plated five runs to take a commanding lead early.
Christian Merriwether got the first run of the game on the board, after scoring on a bases loaded RBI single from
Jerry Davis.
Skyler Nelson then stepped up and roped a double down the left-field line to score
Brandon Bradshaw and Soto.
Two batters later, Nelson and Davis would score the game's fourth and fifth runs after an RBI single from
Brooks Betcher pushed the two Hillcats in.
Corey Murphy would have a dominant outing, protecting the five-run lead. Missouri Western would not get a have until two outs in the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Davis had a single with two players on base, but Soto was tagged out at the plate, as the Griffins retired the inning with the out.
After the Hillcats turned to the bullpen in the eighth, the Griffins mounted a comeback bid, tying the game with five runs on four hits.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Hillcats loaded the bases after the first out with a walk, single and another walk, setting up Soto's opportunity to walk off the game.
Players of Note: Davis finished the day a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate. The junior also had an RBI, a walk, and a run.
Soto finished the day 1-for-2 from the plate. He also recorded three walks, an RBI, and a run.
Merriwether, Nelson, Bradshaw, Betcher, and Rivera all recorded a run for the game. Nelson and Betcher also recorded a pair of RBIs each as well.
Corey Murphy finished the game with eight strikeouts, allowing just three hits and a walk.
Notes from the Game: Neither Rogers State or Missouri Western committed an error in the contest.
The five runs in the first inning tied for a season-high for runs in an inning for the Hillcats. They scored five runs in the non-conference matchup against Minot State in the sixth inning.
Up Next: Rogers State will hit the road for the first time in MIAA play in 2021 and for the first of three-straight MIAA series on the road when they travel to Maryville, Missouri to take on Northwest Missouri. The Hillcats and Bearcats will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 13 and a single game on Sunday, March 14 in the first-ever meetings between the two programs on the baseball diamond.
