CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 8 Rogers State softball (33-8, 12-6 MIAA) had no answers offensively for No. 4 Central Oklahoma's (33-6, 15-3 MIAA) stout pitching in the doubleheader on Saturday.
GAME 1 – UCO 4, RSU 1
The first game of the day was a classic pitcher's duel with neither starter allowing a run in the opening frame.
The Bronchos got on the board first in the second inning as a RBI single to center put them up 1-0. They struck again in the fifth with a RBI single third to go up 2-0.
UCO added two final runs in the top of the seventh to go 4-0 on a two-run blast over the center field wall.
The Hillcats tried to mount a comeback in the home half of the seventh as
MaKayla Jackson led off the inning by beating out an infield single to the shortstop and was pinch run for by
Bobbi Leitha, who then advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Callie Yellin was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second.
Jaylan Gibson worked a full count walk to load the bases with no outs. Leitha scored on a fielder's choice to third to cut the deficit to 4-1 with two outs. Unfortunately, that would be all they would get as a pop up to second ended the game.
Jordyn Pipkin (14-2) earned the win.
Sara Llamas-Howell (16-2) took the loss.
GAME 2 – UCO 4, RSU 0
The second game continued the trend of dominant pitching as both starters worked the first two innings without allowing a run and scattering three hits with five runners left stranded.
UCO cracked the game open in the third inning as they pushed across three runs to go up 3-0. A bases loaded groundout to second brought in the first run with an error by the second baseman scoring the other run.
The Bronchos added a final run in the top of the sixth on a RBI single through the left side of the infield to seal the game 4-0.
RSU's opportunities to score were limited as all four of their hits were scattered across the seven innings with no runner getting past first base.
Terin Ritz (12-1) earned the win.
Jade Sanders (12-3) took the loss.
The Hillcats will close out the non-conference portion of the schedule on Tuesday, April 18 as they travel to Rolla, Mo. for a doubleheader against Missouri S&T. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
