EMPORIA, Kan. – No. 23 Rogers State baseball (16-5, 6-3 MIAA) came up short in the 9-8, 10-inning series finale against Emporia State (10-10, 3-6 MIAA) on Sunday.
 
The game looked like it was going to be a pitchers' duel as both starters worked the first four innings without allowing a run. In that span, the two pitchers combined to scatter two hits and leave six runners stranded.
 
The Hillcats finally broke through in the top of the fifth to take a 2-0 lead. Jake Mitchell led off the frame with a double to right and then took third on a throwing error by the catcher in a failed pickoff attempt. Tyler Nelson drove him in with a single through the right side of the infield. Luis Fuentes later plated Nelson with an RBI single to right center.
 
The Hornets responded in the home half of the inning with a grand slam to left center to jump in front with a 4-2 lead. They added another run in the sixth off an RBI to left to take a 5-2 advantage.
 
RSU got two runs back in the top of the eighth to cut the deficit to 5-4. After Fuentes got on with a one-out fielder's choice, Andrew Ramirez blasted a 0-1 pitch to straightaway center for a two-run bomb.
 
ESU answered with a run in the bottom half to go back up 6-4, thanks to an RBI single to short.
 
In the top of the ninth, the Hillcats retook the lead at 7-6 with three runs. Weston Peninger started things by reaching on a throwing error by the third baseman. Mitchell then plated him with a two-run round-tripper to left. Later in the inning, Carson Cheatwood singled through the left side of the infield and stole second before scoring on a throwing error by the third baseman.
 
Facing two outs in the home half of the frame, the Hornets forced extra innings with a solo homer to left center and tied the game at 7-7.
 
Jackon Romero put RSU back in front 8-7 in the top of the 10th with a solo shot to left center. Unfortunately, ESU also had another two-run home run in them as they blasted the walk-off shot to center for the 9-8 win.
 
Ian Lanik (1-0) earned the win. Colton Anderson (4-1) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will return home on Tuesday, March 18 as they face off against Central Oklahoma in the first game of a three-game, mid-week MIAA series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.