CLAREMORE, Okla. – Senior
Zach Horwith's no-hitter highlighted Rogers State baseball's (26-3, 14-1 MIAA) dominant 14-0 run-rule victory over Emporia State (22-7, 9-6 MIAA) on Friday at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. The Hillcats extended their win streak to 18, while head coach
Chris Klimas recorded his 300th career win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Horwith (5-0) stretched his win streak to five in dominant fashion, tossing a seven-inning no-hitter against the Hornets in his eighth start of the season. The senior faced 18 batters, issuing two walks and one hit-by-pitch, without allowing a hit. He needed just 83 pitches, recording seven flyouts, six groundouts and five strikeouts.
The Hillcats jumped out early, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind RBI singles from
Andrew Ramirez,
Sammy Harris and
Andres Contreras, aided by three Hornets errors.
After scoreless second and third innings, the Hillcats broke it open in the fourth.
Kade Goeke delivered an RBI single, Ramirez reached on a hit-by-pitch and Contreras (4) followed with a three-run home run to extend the lead to 7-0.
Seven Hillcats rounded the bases in the sixth. Starting the surge was Contreras with an RBI single to bring home Goeke, and
Jake Mitchell followed with a walk to load the bases.
Nathan Gutierrez and
Trevor Spainhoward, who were each hit by a pitch, scored following a Hornet error during
Gavin Gamino's AB.
Luis Fuentes capped the scoring barrage with a two-RBI single, sealing a 14-0 win for the Hillcats.
INSIDE THE GAME
- Klimas, recognized earlier this season as the program's all-time winningest coach, reached another milestone Friday with his 300th career win, improving his record to 300-238.
- Horwith joins alumni Tim Luce as the only two Rogers State baseball players to pitch a no-hitter.
- Contreras extends his hit streak to 14 games with a flawless 4-4 at bat, including a home run, three singles, and five RBI's.
- Friday's win pushed RSU Baseball's streak to 18, one shy of the program record of 19 set in 2011.
- The no-hitter gave the Hillcats their fifth consecutive run-rule win and marked the eighth in their last 10 games.
- RSU remains atop the MIAA standings with the win.
UP NEXT
The Hillcats will return to the RCB Bank Sports Complex to continue their momentous season on Saturday, March 28, for game two of their three-game series against the Hornets. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
