CHICKASHA, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team opened an eight-game road stint with a pair of losses on Monday afternoon against the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha, Okla.
In the opener, the Hillcats rallied to tie the game before falling in the bottom of the seventh, 4-3. The nightcap had the same result USAO battled back to earn a 4-3 win and the twin bill sweep.
GAME ONE
The Drovers took an early lead in the first frame. After retiring the Hillcats in order in the top of the first, USAO pushed a run across home plate in the bottom of the inning with a two-out bases loaded RBI single by Taylor Smith.
RSU answered in the third with a two-out RBI double to right-center field by Kaitlin McCool.
Katie Jirak led off the fifth for USAO with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. She scored on a RBI single by Kayla Adams. Later in the inning, Smith sent Adams home with a RBI single to give the Drovers a 3-1 advantage.
The Drover lead was short lived as the Hillcats battled back to tie the game in the top of the sixth. With runners on second and third, Shona Guerrero hit a RBI groundout to send Kirsten Leppla home. Threet followed with what would have been a groundout but a wild throw by the shortstop allowed her to advance to second and Ashlie Fauchier scored to tie the contest, 3-3.
After holding the Hillcats scoreless in the top of the seventh, USAO sealed the win with a bases loaded walk-off RBI single Kirstin Moyers.
Freshman Laura Fleck took the loss in the circle for the Cats as she tossed 6.1 innings and allowed four runs on 10 hits with five walks while fanning one.
GAME TWO
RSU struck first in the nightcap, as McCool and Fauchier led off the first frame with consecutive singles. Guerrero advanced both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Threet hit a RBI single to left to bring in a run. Laura Fleck capped the scoring and drove in two runs with a two-out double down the left field line as RSU led 3-0.
The Drovers dented the scoreboard in the third with a RBI single by Skyler Nichols. Jirak cut the RSU led to one run in the fourth with a RBI groundout.
Smith gave USAO the advantage in the fifth with a two-out, two-run home run belted over the center field fence.
Elizabeth Agpalo held the Cats scoreless in the final two innings to seal the win. The senior tossed a complete game in the circle and allowed three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.
Fleck took the loss for the Hillcats as she tossed the complete game, allowing four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.
Rogers State (35-16, 8-12) will return to the diamond on Tuesday as the Hillcats travel to Mid-America Christian in Oklahoma City for a twin bill slated for 2 p.m.
