ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – No. 4 Rogers State women's golf announced their 2023 Fall schedule on Wednesday. The Hillcats will play in five tournaments including two home tournaments in the first half of the season.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 7, MWSU 1 (12 Innings)
 
In what turned into a marathon of a pitchers' duel, the Hillcats took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning in the opening game of the day. After leading off the game with a single to left, McKayla Carney moved to second thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Paxton Donaldson. Abbey Rogers later drove her in with a single from right field.
 
The Griffons responded in the bottom half to tie things at 1-1 with a RBI double to right.
 
Over the next 11 innings, both starting pitchers were locked in and refused to allow a run. Over that span, Sara Llamas-Howell scattered three hits and left seven runners stranded without allowing another run. Western's Sydney Rader scattered seven hits with the same amount left stranded.
 
In the top of the 12th inning, the Hillcats finally broke through with six runs to claim the 7-1 win. Lana Gass brought in what was the winning run as she drove in Callie Yellin with a double to left. Gass then scored on an error by the third baseman. Chelsea Spain came in a on wild pitch. An error by the second baseman plated both Donaldson and Carney. Yellin capped off the frame as she brought in Bridgett Morales with a single to right.
 
Llamas-Howell (16-3) went the distance to earn the complete game win with eight strikeouts. Rader (11-5) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 3, MWSU 2
 
The second game saw more of the same early with neither starter allowing a run in the first two innings.
 
The Griffons took an early 2-0 lead in the third inning to break the stalemate. An error by the shortstop allowed the first run to score with a double to center bringing in the second run.
 
RSU got a run back in the fifth to trim the deficit to 2-1 with a bases loaded walk of Abbey Rogers plating Chelsea Spain. They tied the game with a run in the sixth at 2-2 as Kaylee Lyon scored from third on an error by the pitcher.
 
In the top of the seventh, Bridgett Morales completed the comeback to seal the 3-2 win as she drove in McKayla Carney with a single to center.
 
Harley Culie (5-0) earned the win after throwing 4.1 innings in relief scattering two hits with no runs and seven strikeouts. Natalie Kissinger (1-4) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Tuesday, April 9 as they step out of MIAA action to play host to Oklahoma Christian in a rescheduled, non-conference doubleheader from last week. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.