EDMOND, Okla. – No. 3-seed Rogers State softball (45-9) rolled to a 9-0 victory over No. 7-seed Nebraska-Kearney (24-26) in the second round of the MIAA Tournament on Friday.
After both starters worked the opening frame without allowing a run, the Hillcats broke the game open with four runs in the second inning to go up 4-0. Callie Yellin got things started as she drove in Nicole Gonzalez with a RBI double down the left field line. Makayla Bowman then plated Elexis Watson with a RBI single to left. Jaylan Gibson brought in Yellin with a sacrifice bunt with no outs. Chelsea Spain capped off the inning by scoring Bowman with a RBI single to right.
RSU tacked on a run in the fourth inning to push out to 5-0. Kimberli Presnell brought in Bowman with sacrifice fly to right.
The Hillcats exploded for four final runs in the fifth inning to close out the 9-0 victory. Tailee Reding scored after Yellin was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Yellin, Jackie Zaferes and Rebecca Bell all scored on a fielding error by the shortstop.
Andrea Morales (28-3) earned the complete game, shutout win only allowing two hits with 10 strikeouts. Sydney Thomason (2-6) took the loss.
With the win, the Hillcats advance to a face-off against No. 1-seed Washburn tomorrow for a spot in the Tournament Championship. First pitch is set for approximately 3 p.m.
