JOPLIN, Mo. – Rogers State baseball (15-7, 4-6 MIAA) fell 19-3 in the first game of the MIAA mid-week series to Missouri Southern (17-6, 8-2 MIAA) on Tuesday.
 
The game looked to be a pitcher's duel as neither starter allowed a run in the first two innings and scattered a three combined hits.
 
The Hillcats broke through first as they took an early 2-0 lead in the third inning. Joel Escalante singled through the right side of the infield and advanced to second on a wild pitch with one out. He moved to third as Prescott Horn flied out to center. Jesse Holguin earned a full count walk to put runners on the corners. Jhonmy Martinez doubled to right center to clear the bases and bring in Escalante and Holguin.
 
The dam broke in the home half of the fourth as the Lions put up 14 runs. Five singles, a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch, a bases loaded hit batter and a bases loaded walk plated the first 10 runs. A grand slam to left capped off the frame for the other four runs.
 
MSSU added five more runs in the fifth. Another grand slam and a RBI single brought in the runs.
 
RSU got a run back in the top of the seventh to set the final score at 19-3. Carson Cheatwood was hit on a 2-2 pitch to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bennett Henderson earned a eight-pitch walk to put runners at first and second. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. A fourth wild pitch scored Cheatwood.
 
Steen Lane (1-0) earned the win. Tyler Hankins (2-1) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats return home to the Diamond Sports Complex on Friday, March 17 as they open a three-game series against Missouri Western. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.