OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Rogers State softball team fell to the No. 3-ranked Oklahoma City Stars in doubleheader action from Ann Lacy Stadium Tuesday evening.
The Hillcats gave up seven hits to the Stars in game one as OCU topped the Cats 7-2. In the nightcap, RSU limited OCU to just five hits but coach Mark Dicus' squad was unable to spark offensively as the Stars won 3-1.
The pair of losses resulted in the regular season series sweep for the Stars over the Hillcats as OCU topped won the doubleheader earlier in the season in Claremore.
GAME ONE
The host Stars quickly plated five runs in the home half of the first inning with back-to-back hits to lead off the inning. The first run came on a Hillcat wild pitch followed two batters later by a grand slam by Angel Lovelady to put OCU up 5-0.
OCU added one run in both the third and fifth innings before the Hillcats were able to make their move in the top of the sixth. The first Cat run came on a RBI single to centerfield by Katrina Loy scoring Taran Threet. A throwing error by the Stars' third baseman allowed Kirsten Leppla to reach base and scored Linsey Curtis in the process cutting the Hillcat deficit to 7-2.
The Hillcat defense was able to retire the Stars three up, three down in the bottom of the sixth but OCU returned the favor to RSU in the top of the seventh to claim the 7-2 victory.
A.J. Woodward (14-1) recorded the win for the Stars pitching four innings in relief while allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits and fanning two. Lily LaVelle received the start for OCU pitching three innings and fanning three batters while giving up two hits.
Laura Fleck received the loss for the Hillcats in two innings of work allowing five earned runs on four hits and allowing two walks. Justine Kodesh pitched four innings of relief allowing two runs on three hits.
GAME TWO
The offensive production was limited in the nightcap of the doubleheader as the two squads were limited on the scoreboard until the fourth inning when the Stars knocked first on a homerun to center by LaVelle.
The lead was stretched to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Lovelady and Jamie Rateliff scored on a single to right field by Katie Proffitt.
Leppla rang the bell in the top of the sixth with a lead-off homer to left-center to cut the deficit to two runs at 3-1.
The Stars' three batters were retired in order in the sixth and RSU led off the seventh with a walk by Threet. Loy was hit by pitch with one out putting runners on second and first breathing life in the Cats hopes. But OCU retired the next two batters and cling to the 3-1 win.
Fleck (28-18) recorded the loss in six innings of action allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits.
LaVelle (33-2) received the complete game victory giving up one earned run on three hits and fanning 13 Hillcat batters.
Rogers State (36-21, 9-17) will enter postseason play on a five game losing streak as they head to the 2012 Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament at ASA Hall of Fame Complex May 4-5 in Oklahoma City.
