CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (22-20, 12-17 MIAA) battled but fell to No. 2 Central Missouri (39-5, 26-3 MIAA) in a 4-1 game on Senior Day Saturday.
 
Before the game, RSU recognized its eight seniors including Noah Anderson, Joel Escalante, AJ Folds, Tyler Hankins, Andrew Howard, Matt Lintz, Octavio Sanchez and Quinn Tocheniuk for their contributions to the program in their time on the Hill.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Mules jumped on the board with a 1-0 lead after a one-out home run.
 
They tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning to go up 4-0. A three-run blast over the right center field wall brought in the runs.
 
From there, the game devolved into a pitchers' duel with neither pitching staff allowing a run over the next four innings. In that span, RSU scattered three hits with four UCM runners left stranded. The Mules likewise scattered three hits with three Hillcats left on the bases.
 
RSU's had a great opportunity to score in the bottom of the fifth inning as Escalante led off the frame with a single to left on a 2-1 pitch. With two outs, Richie Ponce put runners on first and second with a single up the middle. Matthew Schure loaded the bases as he was hit by a pitch on a 1-2 count. Unfortunately, the scoring threat ended with a full count strikeout.
 
In bottom of the ninth, the Hillcats again tried to mount a comeback as Jake Mitchell led off the inning with a 3-2 no-doubter over the left field wall to trim the deficit to 4-1. A single to right center by Escalante, a hit by pitch of Ryan Tiger and a 3-1 walk of Royce Tsumura loaded the bases with two outs. Again though, a 1-2 strikeout ended the game.
 
Jack Kriesman (4-1) earned the win with JD McReynolds (2) earning the save. Colton Anderson (3-4) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will look to salvage a game in the series with the regular season home finale tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.