SHAWNEE, Okla. – No. 19 Rogers State baseball dropped the rubber match with St. Gregory's as the Cavaliers clinched the 9-5 victory on a walk-off, grand slam at Bill Nicklas Field.
The Diamond Cats fell behind by five runs starting in the first inning with a RBI double down the leftfield line by the Cavs' Trevor Nelson. SGU added one run in both the third and fourth innings as Cody Guenthart led off the third with a solo shot to left center on a 0-2 count. The first at-bat of the fourth, Christian Torres drilled a solo blast to leftfield on an 0-2 count putting SGU up 3-0 after four.
SGU added a pair of runs in the seventh inning on a Guenthart RBI single to left and then reached home on a double to right-centerfield by Nelson giving the Cavs a 5-0 lead.
The Cats appeared to put on the rally in the top of the ninth inning starting with a RBI double by Emmanuel De La Cruz. Hector Rivera singled to center scoring De La Cruz cutting the Cavs lead to two runs.
RSU wasn't finished in the ninth as a Guenthart error at third put Cody Campbell on base and scored Rivera and Colton Campbell to tie the contest at 5-5.
A walk followed by a wild throw put two runners on base for the Cavaliers in the ninth. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position with just one out. An intentional walk by the Hillcats loaded the bases and brought Nelson to the plate. With one ball and one out, Nelson's grand slam over the leftfield wall gave St. Gregory's (10-12, 5-1) the 9-5 victory.
Trevor Nelson went eight innings for the Cavaliers giving up two earned runs on six hits while fanning 11 Hillcat batters. Trent Blackwater (2-2) earned the wins as he went one inning allowing three runs, one earned and three hits for SGU.
Nelson went 3-for-5 from the plate for SGU including six RBI. Cody Campbell went 2-for-5 for the Diamond Cats including two RBI while Eric Baker went 2-for-4 as the leadoff hitter for RSU.
Hillcat starter Eric Faust pitched four innings allowing three runs, all earned, on six hits and struck out three. Tyler Garner pitched 2.2 innings in relief fanning one batter while giving up two earned runs on five hits. Zack Williams pitched 1.1 relief innings striking out three and allowing one walk. Freddy Soto began the ninth inning going one-third inning as he was responsible for two earned runs as he walked one. Drew Taylor (0-3) received the loss for the Hillcats as the senior pitcher came in relief in the bottom of the ninth giving up two earned runs on one hit.
Rogers State (22-5, 7-4) travels to Pittsburg, Kan. to face NCAA Division II Pittsburg State on Tuesday, Mar. 13 for a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 4 p.m.