CLAREMORE, Okla. — No. 10 Rogers State Baseball (40-14) secured a 3-1 victory over Missouri Southern (34-19) on Saturday afternoon to advance in the NCAA Division II Central Regional.
RSU scored early with two runs in the first inning and added another in the second, while both teams totaled seven hits each.
Junior
Damon Anderson-Wolf (10-0) made history as he broke the single-season wins record with his 10th winning decision. He broke the previous record of nine held by Brent Hill (2007), Brandon Bargas (2013) and Corey Murphy (2019).
The Aliso Viejo, California native delivered a strong performance on the mound for RSU, pitching 7.0 innings with four strikeouts and allowing only one earned run on five hits. He threw 85 pitches, 65 of which were strikes, and did not issue any walks.
RSU jumped to an early lead in the first inning with
Nathan Gutierrez doubling to left center and later scoring.
Jake Mitchell contributed with a two-RBI double to right center, bringing home Gutierrez and
Zak Nelson. This early effort put RSU ahead 2-0 after the first inning.
In the second inning, the Hillcats continued their strong start as
Luis Fuentes walked and advanced to third on Gutierrez's single. Nelson's sacrifice bunt allowed Fuentes to score, extending the lead to 3-0 after two innings.
The Lions narrowed the gap in the seventh inning when Will Doherty hit a solo home run to left field, making the score 3-1. However, the Hillcats maintained their lead through effective pitching and defense.
Elijah Knowlton came in for 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and one walk.
Michael Klein (4) closed the game, securing the save by getting the final out with 1 hit allowed and a wild pitch.
Gutierrez led the Cats' with three hits, including a double, and scored a run. Z. Nelson contributed with a hit, a run, and an RBI, getting on base via a hit by pitch. Mitchell added two hits and drove in two runs with a double.
RSU is currently playing No. 15 Central Missouri at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. The Hillcats need to win to force an if-necessary matchup tomorrow at 2 p.m.
