CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (22-13, 10-12 MIAA) suffered an 8-4 setback in the rubber game of the series against Pittsburg State (25-11, 16-6 MIAA) on Saturday.
 
The Gorillas took an early 1-0 lead in the first off a RBI single to the shortstop.
 
The Hillcats answered in the home half of the frame to take a 2-1 lead. AJ Folds led off with a single to center field. Carson Cheatwood moved him to second with a ground out to the pitcher, with Folds then stealing third. Horn drove him in with a double down the left field line. Jorge Martinez returned the favor as he plated Horn with a single to left.
 
Pitt State retook the lead 3-2 with two runs in the top of the fourth. A solo homer to center scored the first run with a RBI single to right scoring the other run.
 
They added two more runs to their lead in the fifth, going up 5-2. A double down the left field line brought in both runs.
 
RSU managed to cut into the deficit and bring it down to one run at 5-4 with two runs in the bottom half. Folds singled to first to start the inning. Horn earned a 3-1 walk to put runners at first and second with one out. Both Folds and Horn stole third and second, respectively, with Folds scoring on a throwing error by the catcher. Jesse Holguin brought in Horn with a single to left.
 
The Gorillas went back up 8-4 with three final runs in the sixth inning. With bases loaded with two outs, a double to left field brought in all three runs.
 
Over the final three innings, neither pitching staff allowed a run and only scattered two hits.
 
Ben Des Rosiers (6-0) earned the win. Rece Parker (5-2) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats are back in action on Tuesday, April 11 as they travel to Joplin, Mo. for the final game of the MIAA mid-week series against Missouri Southern. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.