CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (19-9, 7-8 MIAA) split a series opening doubleheader with Central Missouri (20-8, 12-3 MIAA) on Saturday.
 
GAME 1 – UCM 12, RSU 1
 
In the first game of the day, the Mules scored in every inning starting with a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The first run scored from second on a fielding error by the left fielder. A RBI single up the middle scored the other run.
 
They added two more runs in the second to push out to 4-0. A bases loaded balk scored the first run with a sacrifice fly to center scoring the other run.
 
UCM tacked on two runs in the third to extend their margin to 6-0. A RBI single and sacrifice fly scored the runs.
 
The Hillcats got a run back in the home half of the third. Facing a 2-1 count, Ramon Torres unleashed on a pitch for a solo homer to left.
 
The Mules added a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to go back up 8-1. The closed out the game pushing across two runs in both the sixth and seven frames to seal the 12-1 win.
 
Conner Wolf (5-2) earned the complete game win. Andres De Leon (2-4) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 5, PSU 4
 
After both starters scattered a combined one hit in the first two innings of the second game, RSU struck first this time pushing across two runs in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. Gavin Mestas led off the frame with a single to center. AJ Folds doubled down the left field line to put runners in scoring position with one out. Prescott Horn cleared the bases with a double to left, scoring both Mestas and Folds.
 
UCM tied the game at 2-2 with two runs in the top of the fifth. A RBI single to right plated the first run while a RBI single through the left side of the infield brought the other run home.
 
The Hillcats responded with a run in the home half of the frame to go back up 3-2. Carson Cheatwood singled through the left side of the infield and then stole second. Jorge Martinez brought him in with a single up the middle.
 
RSU tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh to push out to 4-2. Cheatwood was hit by a pitch with one out. Prescott Horn reached on a fielder's choice with Cheatwood moving to second on a throwing error by the pitcher. Jesse Holguin reached on a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners with two outs. Martinez came through again with a single through the left side of the infield to plate Cheatwood.
 
The Mules got a run back in the top of the eighth to cut the deficit to 4-3. The run came in on a single to left.
 
Once again, the Hillcat answered with an insurance run in the bottom of the inning. Mestas singled to left and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. He moved to third on a Ramon Torres fly out to center. Folds drove Mestas in with a double down the right field line.
 
UCM tried to mount a comeback in the top of the ninth but the towering solo shot to left center was not enough as RSU won 5-4.
 
Giancarlo Cortez (2-2) earned the win working 5.0 innings and allowed two runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Octavio Sanchez (8) earned the save pitching the final 2.0 innings out of the bullpen allowing two runs on three hits with a strikeout. Nate Wohlgemuth was also electric out of the pen working 2.0 shutout innings only allowing one hit with a strikeout. Adam Gray (1-2) took the loss.
 
The two teams will face off in the rubber game tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.