TOPEKA, Kan. – Rogers State baseball (17-13, 9-10 MIAA) evened the series with a 4-1 win over Washburn (17-14, 11-8 MIAA) on Friday.
 
After two scoreless innings to start, the Hillcats got on the board first with a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Richie Ponce was hit by pitch to leadoff the frame and then moved to second on a wild pitch. A groundout to second put him at third before Jake Mitchell brought him in with a sacrifice fly to center.
 
The Ichabods responded in the fourth to square things at 1-1 with a RBI single through the left side of the infield.
 
RSU jumped back in front to stay in the eighth with a 2-1 lead. Geovanni Blackshaw belted a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run.
 
They tacked on two final insurance runs in the top of the ninth to seal the 4-2 victory. With one out, AJ Folds got on with a single through the left side of the infield. Mitchell then launched a 1-0 pitch to left center, scoring Folds with a two-run blast.
 
Landon Riley (2-0) earned the win after working 2.2 hitless innings in relief with six strikeouts. Octavio Sanchez (6) earned the save, coming in to slam the door for the final out.
 
The Hillcats will look to claim the series in the final game tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.