CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team pushed its win streak to seven games as the Hillcats slipped past Bacone College in a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Hillcat Complex in Claremore.
The Hillcats tallied a 2-1 come-from-behind victory in the opener. A big fourth inning led to a 9-6 victory for the Hillcats in the nightcap.
GAME ONE
RSU fell behind in the third inning as the Warriors dented the scoreboard first with an RBI single by Chelsea Schuler.
Kaitlin McCool was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth inning. She advanced to second on a stolen base and reached third on a wild throw by the catcher. Ashlie Fauchier followed with a bunt single and advanced to second on the throw to put runners in scoring position. Shona Guerrero followed with a double to off the left-center field wall and both runners scored.
The final three innings were a pitcher's duel won by RSU freshman Laura Fleck (9-1). The Muskogee, Okla. native tossed the complete-game victory, allowing just one unearned run on five hits while fanning six.
Taylor Paulson was tagged with the loss, allowing just three hits and two runs with five strikeouts.
GAME TWO
Once again the Warrior took the early lead in the nightcap. BC tallied runs in the first two innings; however the Hillcats answered with two runs in the bottom of the second. With bases loaded, Fauchier belted a single to center field that allowed two runs to score and tie the contest.
Guerrero led off the third with a double to left-center field. Linsey Curtis followed with an RBI double, allowing pinch runner Gabrielle Cox to score. Niki Keck hit a single to send Curtis home and give RSU a 4-2 lead.
BC would not go quietly as the Warriors tied the game in the top of the fourth frame with the help of an RSU error and an RBI single by Sam Campbell.
The Hillcats answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Jillian Zeman walked the first three RSU hitters to start the frame. With bases loaded, Guerrero hit an RBI single. Curtis brought in two more runs with a single to deep right field and Keck rounded out the scoring with a two RBI singled to left.
Curtis secured the win for the Cats as she tossed the final two shutout innings. The Collinsville, Okla. native issued two walked and no hits to record the save. Laura Fleck (10-1) tallied the win as she hurled 3.2 innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits with one strikeout.
Guerrero and Fauchier each went 3-for-3 at the plate in the contest while Curtis and Keck drove in three runs apiece.
Rogers State (15-2) will hit the road on Friday as the Hillcats travel to Kansas for the McPherson Tournament.
