CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 19 Rogers State softball will open the 2024 season on Friday, Feb. 2 as they travel to Conroe, Texas to compete in the D2 First Pitch Invitational.
 
The Hillcats will play six games over three days beginning on Friday against old Heartland Conference rivals St. Edward's at 2:30 p.m. and St. Mary's at 7 p.m. They will take on Colorado Mesa and Midwestern State on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively. RSU finishes up the tournament on Sunday with a doubleheader against Angelo State and Regis beginning at 10 a.m.
 
The Hillcats ranked No. 19 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Coaches Poll and were picked to finish second in the MIAA in the league's preseason coaches poll, receiving two first place votes.
 
Last season, the Hillcats finished the year with their second-straight appearance in the NCAA Central Regional Championship game, ultimately coming up short in a close 3-1 game against Southern Arkansas in the Joplin, Mo. They finished 2023 with a 45-14 record.
 
This year, head coach Andrea Vaughan brings back 13 players from last season including All-American and MIAA Pitcher of the Year Sara Llamas-Howell and All-Region catcher Callie Yellin as well as All-MIAA selections Bridgett Morales, Paxton Donaldson, Abbey Rogers and Jade Sanders. Vaughan also welcomes five newcomers to this year's roster including three Division I transfers in Kaylee Lyon from Texas Tech, McKayla Carney from Missouri State and Sydney Norton from Lamar.
 
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