JOPLIN, MO - Rogers State baseball (26-17, 16-17 MIAA) lost the series finale at Missouri Southern (25-22, 17-16 MIAA) 8-5 on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Hillcats jumped on the Lions early by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Andrew Ramirez singled to left field, and Tyler Nelson scored. Weston Peninger hit an RBI double to left field, allowing Ramirez to score. Blake Nichols collected an RBI single through the right side, plating Peninger. Jake Mitchell singled down the right field line to hit Nichols in.
 
MSSU answered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning, making the score 4-2. But RSU fired right back at the Lions in the top of the fourth inning when Ramirez hit an RBI single into left field, which allowed Carson Cheatwood to score, increasing the Hillcats' lead to 5-2 after four innings.
 
In the bottom of the sixth inning, MSSU scored a run to make the score 5-3. The Lions turned the game around in the bottom of the eighth inning when they scored five runs to take an 8-5 lead going into the ninth inning. 
 
Landon Riley (3-3) took the loss. Owen Schneider (3-2) earned the win.
 
The Hillcats will return to the diamond on Thursday, May 1 when they host Fort Hays State back at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.