CLAREMORE, Okla. — Rogers State softball (18-10, 2-4 MIAA) experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in its doubleheader against Northwest Missouri State (21-6, 1-1 MIAA) on Friday at RCB Bank Sports Complex, falling 4–2 in the first game before bouncing back for an emphatic 8-0 rule-rule victory in the second.
GAME 1: RSU 2, NWMSU 4
In the first game, the Hillcats managed six hits but could not score after the third inning. The Bearcats secured the win by scoring two runs each in the sixth and seventh innings.
RSU broke the deadlock in the third inning when
Saylor Brown singled to center field.
Aaliyah Gaboriault entered as a pinch runner and advanced to third on a throwing error as
Rylee Bush reached base.
Baylee King then delivered a bunt single, which allowed Gaboriault and Bush to score, putting RSU ahead 2–0.
The Bearcats responded in the sixth inning with a throwing error that allowed Curstin Todd to score, followed by a sacrifice fly from Mackenzie Mlnarik that brought in Alexis Brown, leveling the score at 2–2.
In the seventh, the Bearcats took the lead when Brown hit a triple to right center, driving in two runs. The Hillcats were unable to respond in the bottom of the inning, resulting in a final score of 4–2 in favor of the Bearcats.
Harley Culie (9-6) pitched a complete game, throwing 7.0 innings and allowing four runs on five hits against the Bearcats. Culie struck out seven batters while walking just two.
Karlee Smith recorded one hit and drew a walk, while
Baylee King contributed an RBI with her single, finishing with one hit in two at-bats. Bush scored a run and added a hit, also executing a successful sacrifice hit.
GAME 2: RSU 8, NWMSU 0 (6 INNINGS)
In the second game, Rogers State turned the tide decisively, recording 11 hits, including a home run, and freshman pitcher
Kinsley Hill threw a one-hit shutout over six innings.
The scoring opened in the first inning when
Chloe Cardona singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt by Smith.
Mariah Belzer then singled, allowing Cardona to score, making it 1-0 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Brown singled and advanced to third on a passed ball. Bush followed with a single and Cardona grounded out to first, allowing Brown to cross the plate, which increased the lead to 2-0.
The Hillcats built on their lead in the third inning with
Raylin Morgan doubling, and a throwing error allowed pinch runner
Taelynn Ballinger to score, pushing the score to 3-0.
The fourth inning saw RSU add two more runs. Bush singled, and with the bases loaded,
Jaden Jordan walked to bring in a run.
Mattie Large, pinch hitting, singled to shortstop, driving in another, bringing the score to 5-0.
The Hillcats sealed their victory in the sixth inning with a three-run walk-off homer by Brown, who brought home Morgan and pinch runner Gaboriault, culminating in an 8-0 final score.
Hill (6-1) delivered a strong performance in the circle for the Hillcats, pitching a complete game shutout over six innings. Hill faced 25 batters, allowing only one hit while striking out eight and walking four.
Brown had a standout performance, finishing 3-for-4, including a home run, and driving in three runs. Cardona contributed both offensively and defensively, scoring a run, collecting a hit and throwing out a base runner attempting to steal. Morgan and
Halle Bucktrot both notched doubles, while Bush added a multi-hit game herself.
UP NEXT
Rogers State will square off with the MoWest Griffons tomorrow at the RCB Bank Sports Complex with a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m.
