CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (22-19, 12-16 MIAA) could not withstand a late charge from No. 2 Central Missouri (38-5, 25-3 MIAA) as they came up short 14-8 in game one of the three game series on Friday.
 
The Mules wasted no time getting on the board as they took a 1-0 lead off a RBI single through the left side of the infield in the first inning.
 
They followed that up with four runs in the second inning to go up 5-0. A RBI double brought in the first run with a three-run homer to deep right center plating the other runs.
 
The Hillcats came alive with four runs of their own in the home half of the frame to cut the deficit to 5-4. Joel Escalante scored the first run from third on a throwing error by the pitcher. AJ Folds then drove in Ryan Tiger and Royce Tsumura with a single to left. Gabe Russell scored Matthew Schure with a single to left.
 
Things devolved into a pitchers' duel over the next four innings with both pitching staffs refusing to allow a run.
 
UCM broke through for four more runs in the top of the seventh to push out to a 9-4 advantage. A two RBI single through the right side of the infield and a two-run jack to right center scored the runs.
 
Once again, RSU responded with two runs to trim the lead to 9-6. Matthew Delgado plated Gabe Russell and Schure with a double to right field.
 
The Mules tacked on two more insurance runs in the eighth to take an 11-6 lead thanks to a two RBI single through the right side of the infield.
 
The Hillcats got a run back in the bottom half as Schure drove in Tiger with a sacrifice fly to center.
 
UCM scored three final runs in the top of the ninth for a 14-7 lead with two singles to center and up the middle, respectively.
 
RSU set the final score at 14-8 with a run in the home half of the ninth as Tsumura plated Delgado with a single through the right side of the infield.
 
Conner Wolf (9-0) earned the win. Blake Johnson (3-5) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will look to bounce back tomorrow in the second game of the series as they honor their seven seniors before the game. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.