CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (25-22, 16-15 MIAA) took a 7-1 victory in first game of the final regular season series against Northwest Missouri (18-26, 12-19 MIAA) on Friday.

In what looked to be a pitcher's duel at the outset, both starters worked the first two innings without allowing a run and only allowing one hit between the two.

The Hillcats finally broke through in the bottom of the third with a 1-0 lead after being held hitless through 2.2 innings. Marco Barrera got things started as he reached on an error by the shortstop. Jonathan Soto would later drive him in for the game's first run with a RBI single to right center.

RSU broke the game open in the fourth as they put up four runs to go up 5-0. Ethan Rivera beat out an infield single to the shortstop to score Prescott Horn and load the bases with two outs. Barrera came through with a bases clearing, three RBI triple off the right center wall to plate Rivera, Victor Ceniceros and Carson Cheatwood.

The Bearcats got a run back in the top of the sixth to trim the deficit to 5-1. After a batter was hit by pitch on a 1-0 count, a RBI single to center scored NWMSU's only run of the game.

The Hillcats padded their lead and sealed the 7-1 win with two final runs in the bottom of the eighth. Cheatwood drove in Horn with a RBI single though the left side of the infield. Rivera later returned the favor with a RBI single up the middle bringing home Cheatwood.

Jordan Ewig (7-4) earned the win working 6.0 innings only allowing the one run, Brent Dickey (1) earned his first save of the season only allowing two hits in the final 3.0 innings.

The two teams will face off in game two of the series tomorrow on Senior Day. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. with the ceremony to honor the 10 seniors beginning at 1:35 p.m.