ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — No 9 Rogers State Baseball (38-12, 26-10 MIAA) fell to Missouri Western (26-23, 19-17 MIAA) with a final score of 5–3 on Saturday at the MWSU Spring Sports Complex. RSU finishes the regular season in second in the MIAA Regular Season standings, which is a program-best.
Rogers State scored early in the first inning when
Zak Nelson doubled to left field, advanced to third on a left field error, and stole home during a caught stealing play, giving the Hillcats a 1-0 lead.
In the fourth inning,
Blake Conrad reached base after being hit by a pitch, followed by
Kade Goeke's walk and
Luis Fuentes being hit by another pitch to load the bases.
Nathan Gutierrez singled to left field, driving in Conrad to extend the lead. RSU led 2-0 at the end of the fourth.
During the fifth inning,
Sammy Harris drew a walk and advanced to second on
Jake Mitchell's walk. Conrad hit a single to shortstop, bringing Harris home and making it 3-0. The Griffons responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run on a double play, which narrowed the score to 3–1.
The Griffons tied the game in the seventh inning. Miguel Cantu and Seth Winkler both singled, and an error by the pitcher allowed two unearned runs to score, leveling the game at 3–3.
In the eighth inning, Missouri Western capitalized on an error and a hit by pitch to load the bases. A walk and a sacrifice fly brought in two more unearned runs, giving them a 5–3 advantage.
RSU was unable to score in the ninth inning, resulting in a final score of Missouri Western 5, RSU 3.
Spencer Hatch delivered a solid start for the Hillcats, pitching 2.0 innings without allowing an earned run, striking out two and giving up three hits.
Elijah Knowlton followed with a 3-inning relief appearance, conceding one earned run on four hits while striking out one.
Mason Trotter followed with 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and issuing one walk.
Michael Klein (2-2) closed out the game with 1.2 innings, surrendering two runs on one hit and, ultimately taking the loss.
Z. Nelson made a notable impact by scoring one run, collecting two hits and stealing a base. Fuentes added a pair of hits. Gutierrez contributed with one hit and one RBI while also drawing a walk. Conrad added to the offense with one hit, one run scored, and one RBI.
RSU will return to action on Thursday for the opening round of the MIAA Tournament in Edmond. Stay tuned to
rsuhillcats.com for the official bracket release tonight.
