CLAREMORE, Okla. — Rogers State Softball (24-10, 8-4 MIAA) secured its third-straight doubleheader sweep and extended its win streak to seven with a pair of shutout wins over Newman (4-26, 0-8 MIAA) at RCB Bank Sports Complex on Saturday. The Hillcats won the first game 7-0 and the second game 8-0 (5).
GAME 1: RSU 7, NU 0
In the first game, the Hillcats tallied 11 hits, including five doubles, while pitcher
Harley Culie (12-6) delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing just five hits and striking out six in her 18th start of the season.
RSU took an early lead with
Mariah Belzer doubling to center field, followed by a walk by
Chloe Cardona.
Jaden Jordan then singled to right center, bringing in Belzer for the first run.
In the second inning,
Saylor Brown started with a single to left field. After a sacrifice bunt by
Karlee Smith moved Brown to second,
Baylee King tripled to right center, driving in Brown for another run, increasing the score to 2-0 by the end of the second inning.
The fourth inning saw
Rylee Bush double down the left field line and advance to third on a flyout.
Halle Bucktrot then doubled, allowing Bush to score, extending the lead to 3-0.
The sixth inning solidified RSU's control as Smith doubled, followed by a single by
Mattie Large. A fielder's choice loaded the bases, and Cardona singled up the middle, scoring two runs.
Raylin Morgan doubled to center field, adding two more RBIs as Cardona and Belzer crossed home plate. By the end of the sixth inning, the score was 7-0, and RSU maintained its lead through the seventh inning, completing the game with a shutout.
GAME 2: RSU 8, NU 0 (5 Innings)
In the second game, the Hillcats continued their dominance with their third run-rule of the season.
Kinsley Hill (9-1) notched her fourth straight complete game shutout in her 16th start of the season. True freshman allowed just three hits and tallied three strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work.
In the first inning, Belzer (2) and Jordan (6) each hit solo home runs, giving RSU an early 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Hillcats capitalized on a fielding error by the Jets, allowing Brown to score an unearned run, increasing RSU's advantage to 3-0 by the end of the second inning.
The fifth inning saw an offensive surge from the Cats.
Emma Young's double to right center brought in two runs, while Bucktrot followed with a double of her own, driving in two more. King capped the inning with an RBI single to bring the fifth run across, extending the lead to 8-0 by the end of the fifth inning - forcing the rule-run.
UP NEXT
Rogers State will hit the road for a big MIAA clash against No. 7 Pittsburg State next Friday in Pittsburg, Kansas. First pitch of the doubleheader at the Pittsburg State Softball Field is slated for 2 p.m.
