CLAREMORE, Okla. — No. 18 Rogers State softball (5-2) had a successful opening day at the Rogers State Softball Festival, securing two dominant victories. The Hillcats first defeated Upper Iowa University (0-5) with a 3-0 win, followed by an impressive 8-0 shutout in six innings against Southern Nazarene University (1-4).

GAME 1: RSU 3, UIU 0
In the opening game against Upper Iowa, RSU's freshman pitcher Kinsley Hill delivered a stellar performance, recording eight strikeouts over seven innings while allowing just three hits. The scoring began in the second inning when Karlee Smith singled and advanced to second on a groundout. Emma Young then singled up the middle, bringing Smith home for a 1-0 lead. 

The Hillcats extended their lead in the fourth inning with Mariah Belzer leading off with a single, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Smith, and scoring on a single by Jaden Jordan, making it 2-0. They added another run in the sixth, with Belzer doubling to left field and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Young, concluding the game with a 3-0 victory. 

Hill pitched four innings without allowing a run, striking out five and surrendering only two hits, while Erica Ross secured the save in three innings of one-hit relief.

Offensively, Belzer posted two hits, including a double and scored two runs. Young contributed with two RBIs and a hit in three at-bats, while Smith recorded a run, a hit, and a walk,

GAME TWO: RSU 8, SNU 0 (6 Innings)
In the second game against Southern Nazarene, RSU capitalized offensively six hits and eight walks. The scoring started in the third inning when Jordan walked, was pinch-run for by Chloe Cardona, who advanced to third on a passed ball and scored for an unearned run, giving RSU a 1-0 lead. 

The fourth inning saw Smith tripling to center field and scoring on a double by Raylin Morgan. Taelynn Ballinger also scored, extending the lead to 3-0. The fifth inning brought more runs as Halle Bucktrot walked and later scored on a groundout by Morgan, followed by Saylor Brown's single, increasing the lead to 5-0. The sixth inning sealed the game with  Jordan scoring on a double by Young, followed by two unearned runs after a fielding error, concluding the game at 8-0.

Harley Culie delivered a dominat showing in the circle, pitching a complete-game shutout while allowing only four hits over six innings. She struck out seven batters, walked none, and maintained a low WHIP of 0.67. Culie's effort helped improved her record to 2-2 for the season.

Offensively against Southern Nazarene, Morgan hit a double and drove in two runs. Smith added a triple, scoring a run and drawing a walk. Young recorded a double, collected one RBI, and scored a run.

RSU will wrap up the inaugural Rogers State Softball Festival tomorrow against Midwestern State at 2 p.m. and Southwestern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m.