CLAREMORE, Okla. - The No.3-ranked Rogers State softball team improved to 19-0 at the Diamond Sports Complex on Tuesday night with a doubleheader sweep over Oklahoma Wesleyan.
The Hillcats used a four-run fifth to lock up a 7-1 win in the opener. In the nightcap, RSU left eight runners on base and clawed its way to a narrow 3-2 victory.
GAME ONE
The Hillcats out-hit the Lady Eagles 10-5 in the opener with four extra base hits, including a home run. RSU knotted the score 1-1 in the first inning. Candace Monigold ignited the offense with a two-out double belted down the left field line. Shona Guerrero followed and was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Taran Threet singled to centerfield, allowing Monigold to score.
After a pair of scoreless innings, the Hillcats took the lead in the fourth with a two-run home run blasted over the left field fence by Desiree Ayarzagoitia. RSU added a cushion in the fifth with four runs on four hits. The Hillcats scored all four runs with two outs. Monigold reached on a walk and Guerrero was hit by a pitch to put runner on first and second. Threet singled through the left side of the infield to bring Monigold home. Katie Ellington tallied a RBI single to keep the inning going. Threet and Ellington each scored on a wild pitch to end the inning with a 7-1 lead.
RSU held the Lady Eagles scoreless through the final two innings to register the win. Laura Fleck tallied the victory in the circle, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts in seven innings of work.
Courtney Carson was tagged with the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits with one strikeout.
Threet led the Hillcat offense as she went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
GAME TWO
Jamie King got the nightcap started on the right foot with a leadoff home run belted over the left field fence. With runners on the corners, Threet and Monigold registered a double steal to give RSU a 2-0 lead after the first frame.
RSU added to its lead in the fourth. Ashlie Fauchier tallied a two-out single and stole second base. She scored on a double by King to give RSU a 3-0 advantage.
The Lady Eagles answered in the top of the fifth, scoring a run with the help of an RSU error. The Hillcats got into a bind in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Brittany Stevenot hit a sacrifice fly to send Leanne Salas home. However, Monigold caught the ball in centerfield and fired it in to Fauchier a shortstop who threw the ball to Guerrero who tagged Jessica Farris out to end the game and secure the 3-2 win.
Fleck (23-1) earned the win in the circle, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits with one strikeout. Jenna Daniel (7-2) was tagged with the loss as she allowed two runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
King led RSU in the finale as she went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Fauchier went 2-for-3 and Guerrero went 2-for-2 to round out the Hillcats with multiple hits.
Rogers State (32-1) returns to action on Friday as they travel to Lubbock, Texas to take on No. 6 Lubbock Christian in a four–game series. RSU will play a doubleheader on Friday with first pitch at 2 p.m. They will round out the series with a twin bill on Saturday at 1 p.m.
