LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rogers State softball held steady at No. 8 for the third-straight week in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coaches Poll, the organization announced on Tuesday.
 
The Hillcats remain the second-highest ranked MIAA school behind No. 4 Central Oklahoma and ahead of No. 20 Washburn and Missouri Southern, who received votes. Three other Central Region teams were featured in the poll, including No. 18 Harding, No. 22 Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Arkansas, who received votes.
 
Last week, RSU went 4-0 at home with sweeps of Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri last week. On Friday, they cruised to wins of 8-0 and 5-1 against the Griffons. The Hillcats followed that up with wins of 8-0 and 7-1 against the Bearcats on Saturday to close out the weekend.
 
Sara Llamas-Howell was named MIAA Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season for her performance in the circle over the weekend. Over 11.0 innings of work, the Pawnee, Okla. native totaled nine strikeouts without allowing a walk and only scattered six hits. In the 8-0 win over the Griffons, Llamas-Howell went the distance allowing just two hits and tallied four strikeouts across 6.0 innings. Against the Bearcats, she again went wire-to-wire giving up just four hits with five strikeouts. She currently leads the MIAA with a 0.69 ERA.
 
The Hillcats are back in action at the Diamond Sports Complex on Friday, April 14 as they welcome Newman for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.