ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Rogers State baseball (13-11, 7-4 MIAA) claimed the series with an 11-4 win over Missouri Western (4-17, 2-10 MIAA) on Sunday.
After both starters worked a scoreless inning to open the game, the Griffons took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. The run came across with a RBI single through the left side of the infield.
The Hillcats got the run back in the top of the third to tie things at 1-1. Marco Barrera launched a solo homer over the right field wall.
MWSU pushed their lead out to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth. The run came in on a RBI single through the right side of the infield.
In the top of the fifth, RSU pushed across two runs to take their first lead 3-2. Gavin Mestas drove in Barrera and Victor Ceniceros with a double to left.
The Griffons once again tied it in the bottom of the fifth at 3-3 with a RBI single to right.
The Hillcat offense broke the game open with a five-run explosion in the top of the sixth to go up 8-3. Kyle Simms got things started by driving in Skyler Nelson with a RBI single up the middle. Prescott Horn in turn plated Simms with a RBI double to left center. Horn later crossed home on a RBI single to right from Ceniceros. Jonathan Soto capped off the inning with a two RBI single to center that brought in Ceniceros and Barrera.
MWSU got a run back in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to 8-4 on a RBI single.
RSU sealed the win with three final runs in the top of the eighth to take a 11-4 victory. Nelson drove in Mestas and Barrera with a two RBI single to center. Jesse Holguin crossed home on a wild pitch.
Brett Karalius (2-1) earned the win going 7.0 innings with four strikeouts. Jared Slater (0-3) took the loss.
The Hillcats will look to take their second-straight sweep in the series finale tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.
