CLAREMORE, Okla. — No. 15 Rogers State baseball (27-4, 15-2 MIAA) fell to Emporia State (23-8, 10-7 MIAA),8-2, in the series finale at RCB Bank Sports Complex. RSU had its school record tying 19-game winning streak snapped, but still leads the MIAA standings and has yet to drop an MIAA series. 

Despite collecting 13 hits, the Hillcats were unable to overcome the Hornets' decisive four-run ninth inning on a windy Sunday afternoon. 

The Hillcats fell behind early when Emporia State scored two runs in the first inning. Kade Goeke's lead-off single helped RSU respond in the bottom half with a run scored following Andres Contreras' hit-by-pitch, narrowing the gap to 2–1.

In the fourth inning, the Cats' tied the game as Goeke singled and was driven home by Andrew Ramirez's double to left center, making it 2–2. Ramirez's ninth double of the season is tied for the most on the team with Sammy Harris, who collected a double to right field in today's contest. 

Emporia State regained the lead in the fifth inning with Brady Unrein's double setting up an RBI single from Logan Myers, bringing the score to 3–2. The Hornets extended their lead in the eighth inning with a run scoring on a double by Dominic Felix, advancing the score to 4–2. ESU capped the scoring with four runs in the ninth, highlighted by Tyler Coffin's three-run homer. The final score was Emporia State 8, Rogers State  2.

Spencer Hatch (4-2) delivered a solid performance on the mound, but was charged with the decision. The Las Vegas, Nevada, native pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three hits and striking out four batters. Mason Trotter contributed 1.0 inning of relief, giving up no hits but issuing one walk and hitting a batter. Michael Klein surrendered five earned runs on seven hits. Elijah Knowlton closed with an effective outing, striking out both batters he faced in 2/3 of an inning, needing only eight pitches.

Goeke recorded two hits and scored two runs while also contributing four assists. Ramirez posted two hits, including a double, and drove in one run.  Harris and Gavin Gamino also tallied a pair of hits in the lineup. Contreras drew a walk and was hit by a pitch, while also collecting a single to extend his hit streak to 16 games.

RSU will return to action on Tuesday for a rematch against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. First pitch from the RCB Bank Sports Complex is slated for 2 p.m.