CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (17-15, 11-8 MIAA) claimed the series with a 7-6 win in a thrilling 11-inning game against Emporia State (11-21, 5-14 MIAA) on Saturday.
After both staters worked a scoreless frame to open the game, the Hillcats jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning. Conner Womack got things started as he drove in Joel Escalante with a RBI single up the middle. Prescott Horn came in on a RBI single up the middle from Rece Parker. Womack later scored during a double steal attempt.
RSU tacked on another run in the third to push out to a 4-0 lead. Jesse Holguin brought in Jonathan Soto with a RBI double to right center.
The Hornets got on the board in the bottom of the third as they trimmed the deficit to 4-2. Both runs scored on a two-run homer to right.
Both pitching staffs worked the next three innings without giving up a run.
ESU got another run back in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to 4-3 on a solo shot over the right field wall. They went on to force extra innings with a run in the top of the ninth to tie things at 4-4 with a RBI double down the left field line.
The Hornets struck first in the top of the tenth with two runs to take their first lead at 6-4. Both runs came on an error by the centerfielder.
The Hillcats would not be denied as they responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the 10th to retie things 6-6. Sklyer Nelson led the inning off with a solo homer over the right field wall. Carson Cheatwood crossed home plate on a throwing error by the right fielder.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, Gavin Mestas led things off by being hit by a pitch. He moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Soto. Facing a 2-1 count, Holguin walked off the game by driving in Mestas with a RBI double to right field.
Brent Dickey (2-1) earned the win, working the final 2.0 innings and only allowing two hits with two strikeouts. Carl Aikman (0-3) took the loss.
The Hillcats will look for the sweep in the series finale tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
