JOPLIN, Mo. — Rogers State softball (29-15, 13-9 MIAA) struggled to find an offensive rhythm on Saturday against No. 11 Missouri Southern State University (39-7, 14-4 MIAA), falling to the Lions in two games at the Pat Lipira Complex, with final scores of 2-0 and 4-2.
GAME ONE: RSU 0, MSSU 2
In the first game, Rogers State was held hitless across seven innings behind a stellar performance from MSSU's ace Kiki Pickens.
The game remained scoreless through the first five innings until Katie Gray hit a home run, bringing in two runs. This gave the Lions a 2-0 lead at the end of the sixth inning. RSU was unable to respond in the seventh, as MSSU held on for their 39th win of the season.
Harley Culie (15-7) delivered a complete game, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing just five hits. Culie struck out eight batters and allowed two earned runs. Additionally, she walked only one of the 24 batters she faced.
GAME TWO: RSU 2, MSSU 4
In the second game, despite a late surge with two runs in the sixth inning, RSU could not overcome the Lions' early lead and 12-hit performance.
Southern took an early lead in the first inning with Emily Perry's two-RBI single bringing in Bailey Dillon and Taylor Nuckolls, ending the inning at 2-0.
The Lions extended their lead in the fifth inning when Avery Sue Davis hit a two-run homer, making the score 4-0.
The Hillcats responded in the sixth inning.
Mariah Belzer singled and later scored on
Jaden Jordan's 10th homer of the season, narrowing the gap to 4-2.
However, RSU was unable to add more runs in the seventh, concluding with the Lions securing the victory at 4-2.
Kinsley Hill (11-4) pitched a complete game for the Cats, logging 6.0 innings against the Lions. Hill allowed 12 hits and four runs, while issuing only two walks. Despite not recording any strikeouts, Hill threw 105 pitches, 66 of which were strikes.
Jordan recorded two RBIs with her two-run shot. Belzer added one hit and scored a run, while
Taelynn Ballinger successfully stole a base.
UP NEXT
The Hillcats will return to action on Tuesday in Russellville, Arkansas, to face Arkansas Tech in a doubleheader beginning at 2 PM.
