CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (17-8, 5-8 MIAA) claimed its second-straight MIAA series with a 5-4 win over Missouri Western (5-16, 2-11 MIAA) on Sunday.
 
After both starters worked hitless frames to open the game, the Griffons struck first in the second inning taking an early 2-0 lead. Both runs scored on a single through the right side of the infield.
 
The Hillcats got a run back in the home half of the third to cut the deficit to 2-1. Ethan Rivera led off the inning with a 3-1 walk. AJ Folds got on with a single down the left field line to put runners at first and second with one out. Prescott Horn loaded the bases with a seven-pitch walk. Jesse Holguin plated Rivera as he beat out an infield single to third.
 
RSU tied things up at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth with another run. Horn singled to left with two outs to get things started. Holguin followed suit with his own single to left. Geovanni Blackshaw brought in Horn with a single to right center.
 
The Hillcats took their first lead of the day at 4-3 with two runs in the sixth. Ramon Torres earned an eight-pitch walk with one out and then proceeded to take second on a wild pitch. He moved to third on a Rivera ground out to short. Gavin Mestas reached first and Torres scored as the shortstop dropped a popup behind second base. Mestas then stole second. Folds scored Mestas with a double to right center, but was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.
 
RSU added an important insurance run in the seventh to go up 5-3. Horn doubled to left to lead off the inning. Horn moved to second on a groundout from Holguin. Blackshaw plated Horn with a single to left.
 
MWSU tried to mount a comeback in the top of the eight as they pushed across two runs to cut the margin to 5-4. A RBI single to center scored the first run while a RBI triple off the right field wall scored the other run.
 
In the top of the ninth, Octavio Sanchez came in slammed the door with three quick outs to give the Hillcats the win.
 
Rece Parker (4-0) earned the win working an outstanding 7.0 innings only allowing two runs on six hits with a career-high 12 strikeouts. Octavio Sanchez (7) earned the save and is now tied as Division II's saves leader. David Steffen (0-2) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Tuesday, March 21 as they step out of league play for a non-conference matchup against Southern Nazarene at home. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.