EDMOND, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (7-8, 2-2 MIAA) survived a late inning surge against Central Oklahoma (7-6, 2-2 MIAA) to take the series opener 10-9 on Friday.

The Hillcats got on the board early with a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jesse Holguin homered to left scoring Gavin Mestas for the game's first two runs.

RSU tacked on two more runs in the top of the third to push out to a 5-0 lead. Mestas got the inning started with a RBI single to center that plated Marco Barrera. Jonathan Soto came home on a wild pitch. Holguin scored on a bases loaded walk.

The Bronchos finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 5-2. A two-run blast to center field brought in the runs.

The Hillcats exploded for four runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead back out to 9-2. Skyler Nelson scored on a passed ball. A.J. Folds crossed home on a RBI groundout to third by Connor Womack. Barrera brought in Victor Ceniceros with a RBI double to right center. Mestas then scored Barrera with a RBI double to right.

RSU added a final run in the sixth inning to go up 10-2. Soto came in on a Nelson RBI single up the middle.

UCO put across three runs in the bottom of the seventh to trim the lead to 10-5. Two sacrifice flies to center scored the first two runs, with the other run scoring on a RBI single.

The Bronchos continued their late game surge as they cut the deficit to one run at 10-9 in the bottom of the eighth. A grand slam over the center field wall put UCO in a position to make the game interesting headed into the final frame.

However, RSU held off the Bronchos as both teams put together six quick outs in the ninth inning.

Jordan Ewig (2-2) earned the win and the quality start with four strike outs, while Octavio Sanchez (2) earned the save. UCO's Jacob Bailey (0-2) took the loss.

The Hillcats will look for the series win on Saturday as both sides close out the three-game set with a doubleheader because of possible inclement weather on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.