CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State baseball (17-8, 7-6 MIAA) dropped the series finale to No. 2 Central Missouri (19-6, 10-3 MIAA) by a score of 18-1 in eight innings on Sunday.
The Mules jumped out in front early with a 1-0 lead in the first inning off a solo home run to left center.
The Hillcats responded and tied the game at 1-1 in the third. Andres Contreras led off the frame with a single to left center. Andrew Ramirez followed suit with a one-out single up the middle. Blake Nichols then loaded the bases with a four-pitch walk. After working the count full, Weston Peninger brought in Contreras with a bases-loaded walk of his own.
UCM pushed across two runs in the fourth to go back up 2-1.
The Mules broke the game open in the seventh scoring five runs, including a three-run shot to left center. They then exploded for 10 runs in the eighth to seal the 18-1 win, capping off the frame with a two-out grand slam.
Jack Scott (2-1) earned the win. Christopher Spry (4-1) took the loss, despite only allowing one earned run off six hits with three strikeouts in his 6.0-inning start.Â
The Hillcats will begin an eight-game road trip on Tuesday, March 25 as they travel to Fort Smith, Ark. to rekindle an old Heartland Conference rivalry in the first game of the MIAA mid-week series against Arkansas-Fort Smith. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
