WARRENSBURG, Mo. — No. 15 Rogers State baseball (29-5, 17-3 MIAA) bounced back with a 5-2 victory over No. 4 Central Missouri (25-7, 16-5 MIAA) on Friday at Crane Stadium. This marks the Hillcats' first ranked win of the season and their highest since defeating No. 2 Central Missouri last season, who went on to finish runner-up at the College World Series, at the RCB Bank Sports Complex.
 
After the Mules notched the first run in the first inning, RSU responded in the top of the third when Luis Fuentes hit his second home run down the left field line, leveling the score at 1–1.
 
In the fourth inning, the Hillcats capitalized on their opportunities. Andres Contreras walked, and Jake Mitchell reached base on a fielder's choice. Mitchell then advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Nathan Gutierrez walked, Fuentes was hit by a pitch, allowing Mitchell to score. Kade Goeke followed with a walk, bringing Gutierrez home and giving RSU a 3–1 lead.
 
Central Missouri responded in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly by Chase Wilcox, scoring Cole Kreisel and narrowing the deficit to 3–2.
 
RSU extended its lead in the seventh inning. Fuentes walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Goeke. Andrew Ramirez's single to center field drove in Fuentes, making it 4–2.
 
The final inning saw Blake Conrad double to left field and advance to third on a groundout. Goeke's sacrifice fly to left field allowed Conrad to score, cementing the Hillcats' lead at 5–2.
 
Richardo Landeros closed the show for the Hillcats, pitching two scoreless innings to collect his third save of the season.
 
Dillon Dibrell made his ninth start of the season, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four and walking three in the no-decision. Elijah Knowlton (1-0) earned his first win of the season in a relief appearance, pitching one inning and striking out one while allowing one hit and two walks. Mason Trotter contributed with 2/3 innings, striking out one and walking two without giving up a hit. Landeros secured the save by pitching 2.2 hitless innings, recording one strikeout and inducing a double play.
 
Fuentes delivered a standout performance, hitting a home run and driving in two runs while also scoring twice. Conrad added the second extra-base hit with a double. Goeke contributed by driving in two runs. Ramirez made an impact in the field with seven assists and added an RBI.
 
RSU and UCM will wrap up the series with the rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Crane Stadium in Warrensburg.