CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State baseball (16-7, 6-5 MIAA) lost the first game of a three-game set against No. 2 Central Missouri (18-5, 9-2 MIAA) in a seven-inning, 14-3 affair on Friday.

The Mules went to work quickly, scoring two runs in the top of the first. However, the Hillcats answered in the home half of the frame as Andrew Ramirez reached on a fielder's choice with two outs. Blake Nichols drove Ramirez in with a single to short and advanced to second on the throw. Weston Peninger followed up with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Nichols and tying the game at 2-2.

UCM jumped back in front, scoring two runs in each of the next three innings, pushing ahead 8-2.

RSU responded in the fifth inning, narrowing the gap to 8-3. Carson Cheatwood earned a full-count walk to lead off the inning and moved to second on a groundout by Luis Fuentes to third. Ramirez traded places with him, driving in Cheatwood with an RBI double to left center.

The Mules tacked on a run in the sixth, extending their lead to 9-3 with a solo shot to center. They sealed the game in the seventh, scoring five final runs for the 14-3 win.

Evan O'Toole (3-0) earned the win. Ky Decker (3-2) took the loss. 

The Hillcats will aim to bounce back in the second game of the series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.