CLAREMORE, Okla. — A stellar afternoon from freshman Kinsley Hill highlighted Rogers State softball's (29-13, 13-7 MIAA) doubleheader sweep over Nebraska-Kearney (13-30, 2-12 MIAA) at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. The Hillcats claimed game one 7-6, followed by a 6-0 shutout in game two on Monday afternoon.
 
GAME 1: RSU 7, UNK 6
The Hillcats started strong with a three-run first inning. Rylee Bush walked and scored on a single by Saylor Brown, while Jaden Jordan scored on a double by Raelle Gorman, bringing in two more runs to give RSU a 3–0 lead.
 
The Lopers would not go away quietly, as they grabbed the lead in the fourth inning with a three-RBI double from Alyssa Fortik to take a one-run advantage.
 
However, Rogers State regained its lead in the fifth inning with a critical four-run rally. Bush collected her second home run of the season to tie things up. Then, Taelynn Ballinger, pinch-running for Jordan, scored on a single by Brown, and Aaliyah Gaboriault scored on a throwing error after stealing third. Karlee Smith, running for Raylin Morgan, crossed the plate when Baylee King was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, pushing the score to 7–4.
 
The Lopers attempted a comeback in the seventh, scoring two runs and loading the bases with one out, but Hill closed the show with her first career save for the Red and Navy.
 
Harlie Culie (15-7) picked up the win in her 22nd start of the season. The senior battled for 6.1 innings, allowing six runs on four hits, while striking out six and walking four batters. Hill added a strikeout in 2/3 of an inning, after relieving Erica Ross in the seventh.
 
 At the plate, Bush led the way with her second career homer. Additionally, Brown and Jordan added multi-hit games with two hits each.
 
GAME 2: RSU 6, UNK 0
In game two, the Hillcats shifted gears to finish off the sweep in dominant fashion.
 
In the first inning, Mariah Belzer and Bush led off with singles, setting up Gorman's two-RBI double to score both players. Halle Bucktrot followed suit with a two-RBI single, bringing home Brown and Gorman, extending the lead to 4-0.
 
Later in the fourth inning, Chloe Cardona doubled and scored, making it 5-0, and in the fifth, Morgan doubled before Gaboriault, who was pinch-running, scored on a throwing error to finalize the score at 6-0.
 
Hill (11-3) collected her fifth complete game shutout of the season in her 20th start in the circle. The freshman collected seven strikeouts and allowed five hits and a walk.
 
At the plate, Bush led the way with a 2-for-4 outing and a run scored. Brown notched her first career triple, while Morgan, Gorman and Cardona added doubles.