CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (5-7, 1-1 MIAA) spilt the MIAA opening doubleheader against Newman (10-4, 1-1 MIAA) on Sunday.
GAME ONE - NU 5, RSU 2
After both starters worked a scoreless frame to begin the first game of the day, the Hillcats got on the board first with an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. Jonathan Soto came home during a rundown between first and second.
The Jets tied it up at 1-1 in the top of the fourth. The run scored on a RBI single up the middle. Newman took the lead 3-1 with two run homer to left in the sixth inning.
RSU responded in the bottom half of the sixth by getting run back and cutting the deficit to 3-2. Skyler Nelson launched a solo shot of his own to right center in the frame.
Newman tacked on two runs in the top of the seventh to seal the 5-2 win. The first run came on a leadoff solo homer to left with the other run crossing on a RBI single thought the left side of the infield.
The Hillcats threatened with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, but couldn't scratch across a run.
Nate Denniston (4-0) earned the win, with Connor Langrell (2) earning the save. Jordan Ewig (1-2) took the loss.
GAME TWO - RSU 8, NU 7
In the second game, the Jets scored in each of the first four innings and took and early 2-0 lead in the first. A RBI fielder's choice scored the first run with a RBI single through the left side of the infield bringing in the other run.
Newman added a run in both the second and third inning to go up 4-0. The run in the second inning came on a solo homer down the left field line with the run in third coming on a RBI sacrifice bunt.
The Jets tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning to push out to a 7-0 lead with a three-run blast to left center.
The Hillcats finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 7-1. Joel Escalante brought in Gavin Mestas with a sacrifice fly to right.
RSU exploded for seven runs to take a 8-7 lead. A.J. Folds got things started with a two-run shot to right center plating Victor Ceniceros. Jesse Holguin later brought in Skyler Nelson and Marco Barrera with a two RBI single through the right side of the infield. Jonathan Soto plated Escalante and Holguin with a two RBI double. Soto later scored on a failed pick off attempt.
Boone Lasater (1-0) earned the win with 4.0 innings out of the bullpen and four strikeouts while only allowing one hit and one run. Octavio Sanchez (1) earned the save with 2.0 hitless innings and three strikeouts to close out the game. Ian Lecki (0-1) took the loss.
The two teams will face off tomorrow in the rubber match of the series. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
