TOPEKA, Kan. - Rogers State baseball (20-11, 10-9 MIAA) claimed a 6-5 win over Washburn (17-18, 10-12 MIAA) in the series opener of a three-game set on Saturday.

The Hillcats jump on the board with an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Carson Cheatwood laced a one-out single up the middle to get things started. Andrew Ramirez then drove him in with a double to left center.

In the second inning, Jake Mitchell earned a four-pitch walk to lead off the frame. Blake Nichols singled to right, putting runners on the corners. Luis Fuentes then wore a pitch to load the bases. Tyler Nelson brought in Mitchell as he drew a four-pitch walk.

The Ichabods cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third with a leadoff, solo home run to right center, and later tied the game in the fourth with an RBI single to center.

RSU responded in the fifth as Cheatwood reached on an error by the first baseman and proceeded to steal second. He moved to third on a Ramirez ground out to second. Weston Peninger plated Cheatwood with a sacrifice fly to center to retake the advantage 3-2.

Washburn answered back in the sixth with two runs to take the lead 4-3 with an RBI single up the middle and an RBI double to right center.

The Hillcats jumped back in front in the seventh with two runs of their own to go back up 6-4. After Nelson was hit by a pitch and Cheatwood walked, Ramirez unloaded on a first-pitch, three-run blast to left.

The Ichabods tried to mount one last comeback in the bottom of the ninth, but were only able to scratch across one more run on an RBI single to set the final score at 6-5.

RSU will look to carry their momentum into tomorrow for the middle game of the series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.