CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (26-23, 17-16 MIAA) dropped the regular season finale 13-5 to Northwest Missouri (19-27, 13-20 MIAA) on Sunday.
The Hillcats jumped on the board with a 2-0 lead early in the first inning. Jonathan Soto scored the game's first run on a throwing error by the second baseman. Joel Escalante later plated Skyler Nelson with a RBI double down the left field line.
The Bearcats responded in the top of the second by tying the game at 2-2. Both runs came in on a two RBI single to center.
RSU retook the lead 4-2 with two more runs in the fourth inning. Carson Cheatwood brought in Escalante with a RBI single through the right side of the infield. Victor Ceniceros returned the favor scoring Cheatwood with his own RBI single through the right side of the infield. They tacked on one more run in the fifth to go up 5-2. Skyler Nelson blasted a solo shot to right center field.
NWMSU tied the game again with three runs in the top of the sixth. The first two runs came on a two RBI single down the left field line. The tying run scored on a sacrifice fly to right.
The Bearcats took their first lead at 8-5 with three runs in the seventh inning. A bases loaded walk plated the first run, with a bases loaded hit by pitch and a sacrifice fly to right bringing in the other two runs.
They tacked on two more runs in the top of the eight to go up 10-5. Both runs scored on RBI singles through the right and left sides of the infield, respectively.
NWMSU capped of the 13-5 win with three final runs in the ninth. A two-run moonshot off the scoreboard in left brought in the first two runs with the final run scoring on a throwing error by the catcher on a stolen base attempt.
Jacob Gajic (1-1) earned the win working the final four innings and only allowing two hits. Jerry Davis (3-1) took the loss.
The Hillcats will now turn their attention to the MIAA Tournament where they will travel to Tahlequah, Okla. on Friday, May 6 to face off against No. 2-seed Northeastern State as the No. 7-seed in a best of three series. First pitch for Game One is set for 2 p.m
