CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 6 seed Rogers State Softball (34-18, 14-10 MIAA) is preparing to begin postseason play tomorrow in the MIAA Tournament against No. 3 seed Pittsburg State (45-8, 17-7 MIAA).
The quarterfinal matchup is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Trussell Sports Complex in Emporia, Kansas. The winner will face either No. 2 seed Central Oklahoma or the winner of the game between No. 7 seed Northeastern State and No. 10 seed Northwest Missouri in the semifinal game on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The championship game is slated for Saturday at noon.
The winner of the MIAA Tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Central Region Championships on May 14-16. The Hillcats have appeared in every regional ranking, checking in at No. 7 in the latest poll released this afternoon.
BACK TO THE MIAA TOURNAMENT
RSU will make its sixth consecutive appearance in the MIAA Tournament and aims to claim its third tournament title. The Hillcats have compiled a 15-5 record in the tournament, winning the MIAA Championships in 2022 and 2024, and finishing as runner-up in 2021 and 2025.
MEET THE HILLCATS
Harley Culie, a native of Peggs, Oklahoma, was named a two-time All-MIAA selection yesterday with her first team selection. The senior has had an impressive year with the Red and Navy, leading the MIAA with 191 strikeouts in 177.2 innings pitched. She also tops the conference in complete games with 18, ranks second in games started with 27 and is tied for third in wins with 18. Culie was recognized as MIAA Pitcher of the Week for the second time in her career after throwing a historic 8.0-inning no-hitter—the longest in program history. In that game, she recorded 14 strikeouts, including seven consecutive, helping secure a 3-1 Senior Day victory over rival Northeastern State.
Freshman
Kinsley Hill has been a standout for the Hillcat pitching staff this season, posting a 13-6 record and earning All-MIAA Second Team honors. The Dale, Oklahoma, native leads the league with a 1.65 earned run average and ranks 10th with 81 strikeouts. Her 28 earned runs are the second-fewest in the league, while her 34 runs allowed are tied for third in the MIAA. Additionally, her 83 hits allowed rank tied for the sixth-fewest in the conference. Hill has also been named MIAA Pitcher of the Week twice.
Jaden Jordan, an All-MIAA Second Team selection, has made an immediate impact at first base after transferring from Labette Community College. The Sand Springs, Oklahoma, native boasts a slash line of .369/.431/.644, recording 55 hits, 33 RBIs, 20 runs and 17 walks. A consistent power hitter, she has hit 12 home runs, tying for the sixth-most in the league, and added eight doubles. Jordan contributed a dramatic two-run walk-off home run in game one against the RiverHawks during the regular-season finale. She also ranks ninth in the MIAA with a .933 fielding percentage.
Junior
Mariah Belzer has had a solid season at shortstop. Hailing from Ankeny, Iowa, she has started 49 games this season and owns a slash line of .271/.329/.431, with 39 hits, 24 runs, 18 RBIs and 12 walks. Thirteen of her hits have been for extra bases, including eight doubles and five home runs. Notably, she hit a walk-off two-run homer in an extra-inning win over Augustana (S.D.).
Saylor Brown has excelled as the starting catcher in her sophomore season. The Haskell, Oklahoma, native has started in 51 games this year, successfully throwing out seven runners stealing. At the plate, she has tallied 35 hits, 21 RBIs, 15 walks and 13 runs, including a walk-off home run against Northwest Missouri State.
Sophomore
Raylin Morgan has been a key contributor as both a designated hitter and outfielder. The Haskell, Oklahoma, native has achieved 37 hits, including 12 doubles and six home runs. In a comeback win over Augustana, Morgan led the charge with a three-run home run and tied the game with a grand slam.
Other projected starters to keep an eye on include junior second baseman
Baylee King, freshman outfielder
Rylee Bush, senior outfielder
Raelle Gorman, freshman third baseman
Halle Bucktrot and junior outfielder
Chloe Cardona, who has also played infield and catcher. Sophomore outfielder
Karlee Smith has also added a spark in her 47 appearances.
ABOUT THE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State (45-8, 17-7 MIAA) finished the regular season third and checked in at No. 14 in the latest NFCA Coaches Poll.
RSU holds a 16-13 all-time advantage over PSU. This marks the third meeting between the two programs in the MIAA Tournament. RSU previously claimed a 2-1 extra-inning thriller in the 2024 Championship Game and secured a 7-2 victory last season in the semifinals.
Earlier this year, the Hillcats and Gorillas split a doubleheader in Pittsburg, Kansas, with RSU taking game one, 8-6, and PSU winning game two, 5-1.
Heather Arnett is a player to watch. The three-time All-MIAA first-team selection set new MIAA records this season with 105 hits and 77 runs scored, becoming the all-time leader in hits, runs and stolen bases. A native of Pittsburg, Kansas, Arnett, as a leadoff hitter, has recorded 39 RBIs, stolen 38 bases and tallied 14 doubles and seven triples.
Emma Crabb (15-3) is the projected starter in the circle. The Mountain Home, Arkansas, native earned All-MIAA second-team honors with 115.2 innings pitched, 99 strikeouts, and a .200 opponent batting average. Her ERA stands at 2.12 and holds a 1.00 WHIP.
