CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State Head Baseball Coach Chris Klimas unveiled the 2023 schedule on Monday. The loaded slate features games against six teams that made the 2022 NCAA Central Regional.
 
"This is probably the most challenging schedule that we have compiled since we moved to NCAA Division II," said Klimas. "We will have our work cut out for us starting the opening weekend against three teams that played in the NCAA Central Regional in 2022, with all three probably being ranked in the Top 30 of the NCAA preseason poll. We understand the quality depth of the MIAA schedule and look forward to the challenges on our 2023 schedule."
 
The Hillcats will open the 2023 campaign on the road at the Dugan Invitational in Hot Springs, Ark. RSU will take on Ouachita Baptist in the season opener on Feb. 2. They will then face off against Southern Arkansas, who made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the 2022 NCAA DII Baseball Championship, on Feb. 3. The Hillcats will close out the tournament on Feb. 4 with a game against Henderson State.
 
RSU will return to Claremore on Feb. 8 for the start of three-straight series at the Diamond Sports Complex with the home opener against Minot State. The Hillcats will host Rockhurst in a three-game series on Feb. 11-12. They will close out the homestand on Feb. 17-19 with a four-game set against Missouri-St. Louis.
 
The remainder of the non-conference home slate will feature visits from Northwestern Oklahoma State (Feb. 28), Southern Nazarene (March 21) and East Central (April 4). The remaining non-conference road schedule will include trips to East Central (March 7 & May 2) and Northwest Oklahoma State (April 25).
 
The Hillcats will begin MIAA play on the road as they travel to Wichita, Kan. for a three-game series on Feb. 24-26. Other league road trips include stops at Fort Hays State (March 10-12), Missouri Southern (March 14 & April 11), Emporia State (March 31-April 2) Northeastern State (April 15), Washburn (April 21-23) and close out the regular season at Northwest Missouri (April 28-30).
 
The MIAA home opening series will see RSU face off against Central Oklahoma on March 3-5. Other league home series will feature visits from Missouri Western (March 17-19), Central Missouri (March 24-26), Missouri Southern (March 28), Pittsburg State (April 6-8) and Northeastern State (April 14 & 16).
 
The first round, best-of-three series of the MIAA Tournament is set for May 5-7 with the top four seeds hosting. The final site, double elimination round of the tournament is scheduled for May 11-14 in Warrensburg, Mo.