EMPORIA, Kan. – No. 8 Rogers State softball (39-7, 16-4) split a doubleheader on the road against Emporia State (23-25, 12-10 MIAA) on Sunday.
GAME ONE - RSU 4, ESU 0
The Hillcats wasted no time jumping out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. After Nicole Price reached on a bunt single, Abbey Rogers drove her in with a RBI single through the left side of the infield for the game's first run.
Both starters worked the next three innings without giving up a run. In that stretch, the Hornets only allowed one hit with Elexis Watson singling through the left side of the infield in the second inning.
RSU tacked on another run in the top of the fifth to go up 2-0. Watson blasted a leadoff solo homer over the center field wall. The Hillcats added two final runs in the sixth inning to push out to a 4-0 lead. Rogers got in on the home run fun with a two-run shot to center that scored Tailee Reding.
After not allowing a Hornet on base going into the bottom of the sixth inning, ESU broke up Andrea Morales' perfect game bid with a single to right, however the runner was left stranded as Morales bounced back with a strikeout and a fly out to end the inning.
Morales (23-2) went on to earn her 100th career win with the complete game shutout, with her 14 punch outs putting her over the 900 mark in career strikeouts. Gracie Rabe (4-6) took the loss.
GAME TWO - ESU 6, RSU 2
In the second game, the Hornets turned the tables taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The run scored as the runner from third stole home.
ESU added two more runs in the bottom of the third to go up 3-0. Both runs came in on a two RBI single to right center. They tacked on another run in the fourth inning to push out to a 4-0 lead thanks to a RBI single.
The Hornets went up 6-0 in the fifth inning as they pushed across two more runs. The first run scored on an error by the catcher. The other run came in on a RBI fielder's choice.
The Hillcats finally got on the board and cut the deficit to 6-2 in the top of the sixth. Abbey Rogers again went yard with a two-run homer to left that scored Nicole Price.
Sydney Righi (8-9) earned the win. M'Kayla Hillman (13-5) took the loss.
RSU will return to action tomorrow as they travel to Topeka, Kan. to face off against Washburn in the regular season road finale. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.
