WICHITA, Kan. – No. 21 Rogers State baseball (9-2, 0-1 MIAA) dropped a 2-0 game to Newman (5-6, 1-0 MIAA) in the first game of the MIAA opening series on Friday.
 
In what was a classic pitcher's duel, both starters scattered a combined three hits in the first three innings of the ballgame. The Hillcats had an opportunity to score in the top of the second as Joel Escalante led off the inning with a single to left. Geovanni Blackshaw then walked to put two runners on with Jhonmy Martinez putting them in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Carson Cheatwood earned a walk to load the bases with one out. However, back-to-back flyouts ended the scoring threat.
 
The Jets broke the stalemate in the bottom of the fourth with the game's first run. A bases loaded walk brought the run in.
 
Both pitching staffs went back to work as they refused to give up a run over the next three innings, scattering five hits in that span.
 
Newman would seal the 2-0 victory with a leadoff homer to left in the bottom of the eighth inning.
 
Garrett VanDeventer (2-1) earned the complete game shutout win. Andres De Leon (2-1) took the loss after throwing 4.0 innings only allowing a run while scattering four hits with a strikeout. Noah Anderson was solid out of the bullpen, working 4.0 innings only allowing one run with four hits and five strikeouts.
 
The Hillcats will look to bounce back in the second game of the series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.