OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team used the long ball to record a doubleheader sweep over Grand View (Iowa) on Saturday afternoon at the Hillcat Complex.
Four different Hillcats belted home runs in the twin bill as RSU improved to 6-0 on the season with an 8-1 victory in the opener and a 7-1 win in the nightcap.
GAME ONE
The Viking took an early lead as they plated one run in the first. The Hillcats gained the lead in the second inning as Lindsey Curtis and Katrina Loy belted back-to-back solo shots to take the 2-1 advantage. Both home runs were hit over the left field fence and Loy's homer was on the first pitch.
Freshman Kirsten Leppla led off the fourth with a double and scored on a single by senior Logan Zamora to increase the Cats lead to 3-1.
The Cats used three doubles in the fifth inning to plate four runs. With one out, Zamora doubled to left field. Angelina Vines pinch ran for Zamora and scored off a two-out double by Amanda Edwards. With the bases loaded the Vikings walked Shelby Brogden to score Katie Bointy. Senior Dina Ortiz rounded out the scoring with a two-RBI double off the center field fence.
Grand View walked in the final run of the game for the Hillcats in the sixth and RSU held the Vikings scoreless in the bottom half of the inning for the 8-1 victory.
Zamora led the Hillcats on offense as she went 3-for-4 in the contest. Ortiz and Curtis each drove in two runs.
Ashley Wailand earned the complete-game victory in the circle as she allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts. With the win, the junior improves to 3-0 on the season.
GAME TWO
The Hillcats used a sound pitching performance from sophomore Amanda Edwards and three home runs to sail past the Vikings, 7-1, in the nightcap.
Brogdon drove in the first run of game two with a double off the center field fence that sent Loy across home plate in the bottom of the second.
Grand View knotted the score in the top of the third with a single through the middle that allowed Anna Arnold to score. RSU regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Edwards hit a two-out solo shot over the fence in center field. The home run was the first of the season for the Tail, British Columbia native.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Curtis put the game away as she belted a grand slam over the wall in center field. The homer marked the Collinsville, Okla. native's fourth on the season and her second grand slam of the week.
Ortiz rounded out the scoring for the Cats as she led off the sixth inning with a solo shot over the center field fence. It was the Monahans, Texas native's fist bomb of the season.
Edwards earned the complete game victory in the circle as she allowed just one run on five hits while fanning seven batters and allowing one walk.
Rogers State (6-0) will complete the four-game series with Grand View on Sunday as they host the Vikings in a twin bill. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. For more information on Hillcat Softball visit rsuhillcats.com.
