EMPORIA, Kan. — Rogers State (35-18) advanced to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals with a 5–0 victory over No. 14 Pittsburg State (45-9) at Trusler Stadium.
The Hillcats have now reached the semifinals all six years in the MIAA era. They improved to 3-0 against Pitt State in the MIAA Tournament.
Senior
Harley Culie (19-9) was phenomenal in her 28th start in the circle this season. The Peggs, Oklahoma, native struck out 10 batters over 7.0 innings while allowing no earned runs. She surrendered six hits and issued three walks but maintained control throughout the game, throwing 124 pitches with 78 strikes. This marked her 19th complete game and her seventh shutout of 2026.
RSU secured a shutout win against the Gorillas with strong performances in the final innings. The game remained scoreless through the first five innings, with both teams effectively holding each other's offense at bay.
In the sixth inning,
Raelle Gorman singled up the middle and later scored on a wild pitch, giving the Hillcats a 1–0 lead.
The seventh inning saw the Cats' expand their lead significantly. After
Raylin Morgan walked and
Aaliyah Gaboriault entered as a pinch runner,
Chloe Cardona doubled down the third-base line. Gaboriault scored on a fielder's choice during
Baylee King's at-bat. Gorman then singled to right field, bringing in Cardona.
Saylor Brown added to the scoring with a single to right field, driving in King.
Mariah Belzer walked with the bases loaded, allowing Gorman to score, closing the inning with a 5–0 advantage.
The Gorillas were unable to mount a comeback in their half of the seventh, securing a 5–0 victory for RSU.
Gorman scored two runs and added two hits, contributing significantly to the team's offense. Brown posted two hits, including a double and recorded one RBI. Cardona tallied two hits and one run, doubling as part of her performance.
Rogers State will face No. 12 Central Oklahoma tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in a rematch of last year's championship game. The winner will face either No. 7 Missouri Southern or host Emporia State in the championship game on Saturday at noon.
