CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 2-seed Rogers State (44-10) took care of business in their first game of the NCAA Division II Central Regional with a 7-0 win over No. 7-seed Southern Nazarene (28-16) on Thursday.

The game looked to be a pitcher's duel from the outset as neither starter allowed a run in the first two frames. Sara Llamas-Howell scattered two hits and left three runners stranded in that span. Janie Worthington likewise only allowed one hit with that runner left stranded.

The Hillcat offense came to life in the bottom of the third as Chelsea Spain laced a one-out single down the left field line to get things started. McKayla Carney put runners in scoring position as she doubled to left center with two outs. On a 1-1 pitch, Abbey Rogers unloaded on a no-doubt, three-run homer over the left field wall to put RSU up 3-0, scoring Carney and Spain.

RSU struck again in the fifth inning to seal the 7-0 win with four final runs. After Paxton Donaldson reached on fielder's choice to second, Rogers came up big again with two outs as she drove in Donaldson with a single to center. Kaylee Lyon singled through the left side of the infield to put two runners on. Working the count to 3-1, Callie Yellin blasted a ball way over of the right center field wall, bringing in Donaldson and Lyon.

Llamas-Howell (22-6) earned the complete game shutout and scattered four hits with five strikeouts. Worthington (23-4) took the loss.

With the win, the Hillcats stay in the winner's bracket and will face off against rival, No. 3-seed Central Oklahoma tomorrow at 11 a.m.