EMPORIA, Kan. – No. 3 Rogers State softball (22-5, 6-0 MIAA) claimed their third-straight MIAA sweep with two comeback wins over Emporia State (19-12, 3-5 MIAA) on Saturday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 14, ESU 4 (5 Innings)
 
In the first game of the day, it was the Hornets that got on the board first as they took an early 1-0 lead. The run scored from second on a single through the left side of the infield.
 
The Hillcats responded with force in the third inning as they pushed across three runs to jump in front 3-1. Callie Yellin got things started as she drove in Paxton Donaldson with a single of her own through the left side. Both Yellin and Abbey Rogers then scored on an error by the centerfielder on a dropped fly ball.
 
RSU broke the game open in the fourth inning as they exploded for six runs to go up 9-1. Facing a 3-1 count, Lana Gass blasted a three-run shot to left center, scoring Kaylee Lyon and Chelsea Spain. Yellin later plated Donaldson and McKayla Carney with a triple to right center. Lyon capped off the scoring as Yellin crossed home on her sacrifice fly to right.
 
ESU showed some life in the bottom half as they responded with three runs to cut the deficit to 9-4. A single to left scored the first two runs with a single up the middle bringing in the other run.
 
The Hillcats closed out the game with five final runs in the fifth to seal the 14-4 win. Rogers drove in Mariah Belzer with a double to left. Yellin then scored Donaldson for the third time in the game with a single to left. Bridgett Morales launched a three-run bomb to straight-away center that plated Yellin and Rogers.
 
Sara Llamas-Howell (11-2) earned the win, working 3.2 innings and allowing four runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Harley Culie was solid in relief, working a perfect final 1.1 innings with two strikeouts. Gracie Rabe (5-4) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 3, ESU 2 (8 Innings)
 
The second game was a classic pitchers' duel, though Emporia State jumped on the board early with a run in both the first and second innings for a 2-0 lead. Back-to-back leadoff solo homers scored the two runs in the frames.
 
The Hillcats finally responded in the top of the fifth to tie things at 2-2. Kaylee Lyon got in on the home run party with a first pitch, leadoff blast of her own to left. Lana Gass followed suit later in the inning with solo bomb of her own to left.
 
In the eighth inning, the Hillcats captured the comeback win 3-2 as Bridgett Morales completed the solo round-tripper experience, unloading on the first pitch she saw with one out.
 
Harley Culie (3-0) earned the win as she worked the final 6.0 innings out of the bullpen, scattering three hits with two strikeouts. Gracie Rabe (5-5) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will return home to the friendly confines of the Diamond Sports Complex on Friday, March 22 as they take on Missouri Southern. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.