HAYS, Kan. — Rogers State baseball (12-3, 5-1 MIAA) secured a doubleheader sweep over Fort Hays State (4-13, 1-6 MIAA) on Saturday at Larks Park, winning the first game 11-3 and the second game 7-4. With the wins, the Hillcats claimed their first MIAA road series 3-0.

In Game 1, both teams scored a run in the third inning. Blake Conrad doubled and scored on a single by Tyler Nelson, while Fort Hays State's Derek Woolwine homered, tying the score at 1-1. The Hillcats took control in the fifth inning with a three-run burst—Gavin Gamino singled and later scored on a hit by Andres Contreras, followed by a two-run home run from Nelson. Although the Tigers responded with a run, RSU led 4-2 after five innings.

Jake Mitchell hit a solo home run in the sixth to extend the lead to 5-2. RSU added another run in the seventh when Conrad scored on a fielder's choice. The eighth inning saw the Cats extend their lead further with three more runs, including a solo home run from Trevor Spainhoward and a two-run shot from Contreras, bringing the score to 9-2. In the ninth, Andrew Ramirez and Mitchell each added solo homers, securing an 11-3 victory despite the Tigers scoring an unearned run.

Dillon Dibrell (3-1) pitched 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out nine batters. He maintained control throughout the game, issuing no walks and recording a WHIP of 0.67. Ricardo Landeros (2) followed with 3.0 innings of relief, surrendering no hits and only one run, striking out two and walking one, earning his second save of the season with a WHIP of 0.33.

Contreras led the offense with three hits, including a home run, driving in three runs, while Nelson contributed a home run and three RBIs. Mitchell added two home runs, a double, and collected two RBIs.

In Game 2, the Hillcats struck first in the first inning when Contreras was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on another passed ball, giving RSU a 1-0 lead. In the third inning, T. Nelson doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch, scoring on a single by Sammy Harris to extend the lead to 2-0.

The decisive moment came in the sixth inning, when RSU added three runs. Nathan Gutierrez scored on a fielder's choice following a throwing error, and Kade Goeke and Luis Fuentes also crossed the plate on another error, making it 5-3 in favor of RSU. In the seventh, Ramirez hit a solo home run, increasing the lead to 6-4. Nelson walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Ramirez in the ninth, finalizing the game at 7-4.

Spencer Hatch (1-1) picked up the win, delivering a strong performance in Game 2, pitching 5 innings while allowing just one earned run on one hit, striking out eight, and issuing 1 walk, leading to a WHIP of 0.40. Cole Abbott came in for 2 innings of relief, giving up three earned runs on four hits, while striking out two. Michael Klein (2) closed out the game effectively, pitching 2 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts and allowing only 1 hit, securing his second save of the season with a WHIP of 0.50.

T. Nelson recorded a double, drove in a run, and scored twice in Game 2, highlighting his impact at the plate. Ramirez contributed significantly by hitting a home run, tallying two RBIs, and drawing two walks, while Harris posted two hits and drove in a run, showcasing his consistency.

RSU will return to action next Friday and Saturday with a pair of doubleheaders beginning at noon.