HAYS, Kan. – Tyler Nelson and Nathan Gutierrez hit grand slams as Rogers State baseball (10-3, 3-1 MIAA) made a strong statement with a 20-10 series-opening win over Fort Hays State (4-11, 1-4 MIAA) at Larks Park on Friday afternoon.

RSU had a strong offensive performance, recording 20 hits, including two grand slams, a three-run home run by Jake Mitchell and a solo shot from Trevor Spainhoward, along with five doubles.

With this win, RSU improved to 14-2 all-time against FHSU. The 20 runs scored and 20 hits represent the most the Hillcats have achieved since 2024 against Northeastern State at the RCB Bank Sports Complex.
 
The Hillcats struck first with a sacrifice fly from Andres Contreras, followed by an RBI double from Andrew Ramirez in the opening inning, taking an early lead. Luis Fuentes added an RBI double, and Sammy Harris contributed a two-RBI double in the second, establishing a 5-0 advantage.
 
After an RBI single from Kade Goeke in the third inning with the bases loaded, Nelson (1) hit a grand slam, extending the lead to 10-0. The Tigers managed to score their first run in the bottom of the inning. However, Jake Mitchell (2) hit a three-run homer in the fourth, pushing the Hillcats ahead 13-1.
 
Fort Hays responded with six unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings. RSU then added five more runs in the seventh, including another grand slam from Gutierrez (3). Hays responded with a three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh, keeping the game alive at 18-10.
 
The Hillcats added two insurance runs in the eighth and ninth, highlighted by Spainhoward's third home run of the season, sealing a dominant 20-10 victory.
 
Zach Horwith earned a no-decision in his fourth start of the season. The senior les the Hillcats with three strikeouts. Damon Anderson-Wolf (2-0) picked up the win after pitching 1.2 innings from the bullpen with one strikeout. Mason Trotter earned his second save of the season after pitching the final three innings and collecting two strikeouts.
 
Gutierrez and Nelson both finished 4-for-5 with a grand slam, three runs and a walk. Harris had three hits, two RBIs, and two runs, while Mitchell and Spainhoward also homered. Ramirez led the team in doubles hit with two.
 
Due to impending weather, the Hillcats and Tigers will now play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 11 a.m. For more information and updates, visit 2026 Baseball Schedule - Rogers State University Athletics.