Box Score HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Rogers State baseball (0-1) fell to No. 24 Delta State (1-0) in a 4-3 game to open the 2022 season at the Dugan Invitational on Sunday.
 
The Statesmen got things started in the first inning as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. They added a runs in the top of the fourth, fifth and seventh innings to push out to a 4-0 advantage.
 
The Hillcats were held scoreless through six frames, but finally broke through to cut the deficit to 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh. Skylar Nelson came home on an RBI groundout from Andrew Howard.
 
RSU made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth as AJ Folds walked to leadoff the inning and Nelson was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs. Jesse Holguin brought both runners in on a two RBI double to pull within one run at 4-3. Unfortunately, the rally ended with back-to-back groundouts to third and a strikeout.
 
Hammer Franks (1-0) earned the win, with Jackson Rutledge (1) earning the save. Brett Karalius (0-1) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action tomorrow as they face off against Ouachita Baptist in the finale of the Dugan Invitational. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.