SHAWNEE, Okla. - The Rogers State baseball team wrapped up a three-game sweep of St. Gregory's on Saturday with a pair of victories in Shawnee.
The Cavaliers took an early 1-0 lead in the opener before the Hillcats belted a trio of home runs in the fourth en route to an 8-2 win. In the nightcap, SGU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first; however a grand slam in the fourth inning by Cody Campbell gave RSU the lead and propelled the Cats to a 12-9 victory.
GAME ONE
The Hillcats had to rally to an 8-2 victory after giving up an early run in the top of the first.
In the third inning, senior Jairo Valdez drove in the tying run with two outs. Senior Brandt Barnes followed by blasting a two-run homer to right field to give the Hillcats the lead. Cade McKewon reached on a walk and Colton West belted a homer over the left field fence. Randy Ramirez capped off the scoring in the fourth with a solo shot over the fence in left-center field and pushed the Hillcats lead to 6-1.
The Hillcats carried the momentum into the bottom half of the fourth inning as they retired the side. In the top of the fifth Cody Campbell scored on a pass ball to increase the Cats advantage to 7-1.
With two outs in the sixth, West worked a full count and drew a walk. Randy Ramirez followed with a double to plate West.
The Cavaliers managed to plate one run in the bottom of the sixth, yet were shut out in the seventh to give the Cats the 8-2 win.
Tyler Garner (6-2) registered the win on the mound for the Hillcats as he tossed four innings and allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts. Eric Faust tossed two innings and allowed one run on one hit while fanning two. Zach Williams struck out the side in the seventh to close out the game.
West, Ramirez and Valdez paced the Hillcats offense with two hits apiece.
GAME TWO
The Hillcats scored six runs in the fourth inning en route to a 12-9 win in the night cap.
The Cavaliers dented the scoreboard first with three runs in the top of the first.
Sophomore Keith Poverud cut the deficit in the top of the second with a solo shot over the left field fence. RSU tied the score in the third. Valdez and Barnes hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. McKewon hit an RBI single to right field to plate Valdez. Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to bring Barnes home.
SGU regained the lead in the bottom of the third as they pushed one run across home plate.
Colton Campbell led off the fourth with a single and Joe Manbodh followed with a double to put both runners in scoring position. Barnes singled to center to send Campbell home and West doubled to score Manbodh. Ramirez drew a walk to load the bases for Cody Campbell who blasted a grand slam over the left field fence and gave the Cats a 9-4 advantage.
SGU cut the lead in the bottom of the inning with one run; however the Cats earned the run back in the top of the fifth.
Ramirez bounced a double off the wall in centerfield and scored on a triple by Cody Campbell to push the lead to 11-5.
The Cavaliers rallied in the sixth as they scored four runs on four hits to trail 11-9.
The Hillcats added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with a triple by Valdez who scored with a single by McKewon. RSU held the Cavaliers scoreless in the top of the seventh to clinch the series sweep.
Drew Taylor received the win for the Cats as he tossed two innings and allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts. Matt Sample garnered the save after pitching the final one and two third scoreless innings with no hits and one strikeout.
Trevor Nelson was saddled with the loss for SGU. He yielded 10 runs on 11 hits and two walks in four innings.
Roger State (37-10, 16-8) will return to the friendly confines of Hillcat Complex on Tuesday as they face Oklahoma Wesleyan at 7 p.m.
