CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State baseball team snagged a pair of come from behind victories over Baker University (Kan.) on Saturday at Legion Field in Claremore to improve to 12-0 on the year.
The Hillcats fell behind early in the opener, however they posted runs in three straight innings to stage the 6-2 comeback victory. It took a three-run walk-off home run by Eric Baker to secure the 5-2 win in the night cap.
GAME ONE
The Wildcats took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a two-out RBI single down the left field line by Bryan Kindle.
The Hillcat offense started clicking in the fourth. With runners on second and third, senior Lance Rymel belted a two RBI double off the wall in left field. Taylor Estes came in as the courtesy runner for Rymel and stole third. The Broken Arrow, Okla. native scored on a single by senior Cade McKewon to put RSU in front 3-1.
Joey Orozco earn a run back for Baker with a two out RBI single to center field, however the Hillcats performed a double steal in the bottom of the inning and Eric Baker scored on the stolen base to give the Hillcats a 4-2 lead.
Rymel swatted a solo shot over the left field fence to start the bottom of the sixth. The Hillcats scored their final run of the contest on a wild throw by BU catcher Miles Sanderson. Sanderson threw the ball into the outfield trying to catch Blake Heston stealing second which allowed Colton Campbell to score.
Shawn Spainhoward (2-0) tallied the win on the mound for the Hillcats. The junior lefty tossed the complete game allowing two runs on six hits while fanning seven.
Rymel led the Cats going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
GAME TWO
Eric Baker's first home run of the season was one to remember. The junior from Muskogee, Okla. belted a two-out three run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning, allowing the Hillcats to walk off with the win.
The nightcap resembled the opener as the Wildcats opened the game with a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first. BU pitcher Jimmy Gricol faced the minimum in the first three inning but the Cats dented the scoreboard in the fourth. Hector Rivera tripled while Cody Campbell and Rymel walked to load the bases for Colton Campbell who doubled down the left field line to score two runs and give RSU the lead.
Kindle laced an RBI single down the left field line to knot the score in the top of the sixth.
Colton Campbell led off the seventh with a single and reached second on a sacrifice bunt. The Wildcats intentionally walked Blake Heston and Baker followed with the homer for the win.
Closer Zack Williams (1-0) earned his first win of the season as he closed out the seventh allowing one hit and striking out one. Tyler Garner started the contest and gave up one unearned run on two hits while fanning seven.
Rogers State (12-0) remains unbeaten on the season and returns to the Diamond on Sunday to face the Wildcats in another doubleheader at 1 p.m. weather permitting. Live audio will be streamed live at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.
