CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State baseball (21-15, 11-13 MIAA) found themselves in a pitchers' duel against Pittsburg State (29-7, 18-7 MIAA) with outstanding performances from Colton Anderson and Landon Riley, but ultimately fell 2-1 on Saturday.

"Our pitching was unbelievable today from both Colton and Landon," said head coach Chris Klimas. "When you only give up two runs in a game, you give yourself a chance, especially against a ball club as good as Pitt State. Our defense played really well too, but I was disappointed with our offense not doing anything in the first six innings. When you don't hit it well, it makes it hard on our bullpen. But credit to Pitt State, they made more plays with the sticks than we did."

The Gorillas jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. 

Over the next five frames, the two starters put on an absolute clinic on the mound. They combined to scatter four hits with nine total strikeouts between them over that span.

The Hillcats tied the game at 1-1 in the seventh when Jackson Romero blasted a solo shot off the scoreboard in left field. 

PSU responded by scoring a run off a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth inning giving the Gorillas a 2-1 lead. 

RSU attempted to mount a comeback by putting runners on base in the eighth and ninth innings, but could not bring them home.

Thornton (8-1) earned the win, with Cooper Crouch (4) picking up the save. Anderson (7-2) took the loss, but still turned in a solid performance as he only allowed the two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Landon Riley was also excellent out of the bullpen, refusing to allow a hit in the final 1.2 innings with a strikeout. 

The final game of the series will take place tomorrow at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.