CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (9-3, 2-1 MIAA) claimed the series over Missouri Southern (5-7, 1-2 MIAA) with an 8-7 walk-off win in extra innings at the RCB Bank Sports Complex.
Sunday afternoon's clash between the Hillcats and Lions was full of offensive highlights and momentum shifts throughout the 11 innings. Rogers State and Missouri Southern combined for 23 hits, resulting in 15 runs scored. Fielding also played a significant role in the outcome, with the Lions committing four errors compared to none for the Cats.
RSU struck first in the opening innings with a two-RBI single from
Trevor Spainhoward to right field. He added his third RBI of the game with a single in the third inning, driving home
Sammy Harris and extending the Hillcats' lead to 3-0.
Southern crossed the plate for the first time in the contest in the fourth inning on a passed ball. However, Rogers State responded with
Jake Mitchell's (1) 15th career home run to left field. They added another run in the sixth inning on an RBI double from
Tyler Nelson, increasing their lead to 5-1.
The Lions hit a three-run shot in the eighth to cut the deficit to one run. The Hillcats responded by adding an RBI single from Nelson and a sacrifice fly from Harris, pushing their lead back to 7-4.
In the ninth, Missouri Southern's bats came alive with three runs on four hits to tie the game.
Luis Fuentes reached base in the bottom of the inning but was left stranded, sending the game into extra innings.
After neither team managed to score in the 10th, Fuentes walked in the 11th inning and advanced to third on the fourth error from MSSU during Mitchell's sacrifice bunt. This set up a walk-off fielder's choice during
Gavin Gamino's at-bat, driving Fuentes in for the game-winning run.
Spainhoward,
Andres Contreras, T. Nelson and
Andrew Ramirez each recorded multiple-hit games with two hits apiece. Spainhoward led the team with three RBIs, while Contreras and
Kade Goeke each scored two runs. Mitchell contributed a home run, and Harris and T. Nelson each added a double.
Spencer Hatch picked up a no-decision in his third start of the season, allowing two hits and one run over 4.0 innings while striking out one.
Ricardo Landeros matched him with three strikeouts in 3.0 innings.
Mason Trotter (2-0) secured this second win from the bullpen, allowing just one hit in the final two innings.
The Hillcats will travel to Hays, Kansas, next weekend to open MIAA road play against the Fort Hays State Tigers. The three-game series at Larks Park will take place Friday through Sunday, with each game starting at 1 p.m.
