ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Hillcat Baseball (38-11, 26-9 MIAA) even the series with a decisive 12-2 (8) run-rule victory over Missouri Western (26-22, 19-16 MIAA) on Friday at Spring Sports Complex. This marked RSU's 13th run-rule victory of the 2026 campaign.
RSU amassed nine hits, including two home runs, while drawing 10 walks.
Rogers State took control in the third inning, with
Kade Goeke doubling to left field and
Luis Fuentes singling to move Goeke to third. A walk to
Nathan Gutierrez loaded the bases, and
Zak Nelson's sacrifice fly opened the scoring as Goeke crossed the plate.
Andres Contreras followed with an RBI single, and a fielding error allowed both Gutierrez and Contreras to score, bringing the Cats' lead to 4-0 after three innings.
In the fourth inning, Nelson (2) extended the lead with a two-run homer to left field, bringing Gutierrez home after he had walked. This pushed the Hillcats' lead to 6-0 through four innings.
The sixth inning saw more action from RSU, as Nelson tripled to right center and was brought home by Contreras' (6) homer to right field, making it 8-0.
The Griffons responded with a solo homer from Luke Parmentier, but the Hillcats maintained an 8-1 advantage after six innings.
In the seventh inning,
Blake Conrad's RBI double to center field scored
Sammy Harris, increasing the lead to 9-1. Missouri Western added a run with an RBI single from Seth Winkler, closing the gap to 9-2.
The Hillcats capitalized on errors and patience at the plate in the eighth inning, scoring three unearned runs. Walks to Gutierrez and Nelson set the stage, and a fielding error allowed Gutierrez to score. Additional walks to Harris and Mitchell brought in two more runs, resulting in the 12-2 run-rule.
Dillon Dibrell (8-3) delivered a strong performance on the mound in his 13th start of the season, pitching 5.0 innings without allowing an earned run. He struck out five batters, issued three walks, and allowed only two hits, throwing a total of 93 pitches with 53 strikes.
Ricardo Landeros (5) followed with 3.0 innings of relief, conceding two earned runs on five hits, while striking out two in his fifteenth appearance of the season to earn his fifth save.
Z. Nelson contributed significantly with three runs and three RBIs, including a home run and a triple. Contreras also tallied three runs and three RBIs, hitting a home run in the process. Gutierrez drew three walks and scored three runs, impacting the game on the base paths.
The Hillcats will wrap up the season tomorrow in St. Joseph, Missouri, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
With a win and a Pitt State loss, the Hillcats will earn a share of the 2026 MIAA Regular Season Championship.
