CHICKASHA, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team extended its winning streak to 13 games as it opened the Sooner Athletic Conference slate on Tuesday afternoon with a twin bill sweep over the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma at Bill Smith Park.
With a 13-0 record, the Hillcats are off to their best start in program history. RSU fired off 11 hits in the opener and used a six-run first to propel the Cats to an 11-3 run-rule victory after five innings. In the nightcap, RSU claimed a 4-1 victory.
GAME ONE
The Hillcats got a quick start in the top of the first as Jamie King, Cailin Simpson and Candace Monigold tallied consecutive singles to start the frame with the bases loaded. Katrina Loy followed with a double to send all three runs home and moved to third on an error by the shortstop. Yolanda Rios kept the offense going with a RBI double to left-center field and scored on a double by Shona Guerrero. Ashlie Fauchier rounded out the scoring in the inning with a RBI infield single to give the Cats a 6-0 lead.
The Drovers chipped away at the deficit in the bottom of the inning with a two-out two RBI double to centerfield by Brooke McLeod. In the fourth, USAO cut the RSU lead to 6-3 with a RBI single by Markie LaFerney to bring McLeod home after leading off the inning with a single.
RSU piled on five more runs in the fifth. With one out, Fauchier reached on an error by the second baseman, LaFerney. King followed with a single to put runners on the corners and Simpson drove Fauchier home with a double to left field. Monigold drew a walk to load the bases. King scored on a bass ball while Simpson and Monigold advanced into scoring position. Rios belted a two RBI single and Threet tallied a RBI double to end the scoring in the inning, giving RSU an 11-3 advantage.
Fleck tossed the seventh inning a faced the minimum to give RSU the short game win. Rios (9-0) registered the win in the circle as she allowed three runs on six hits with three strikeouts in four innings of work.
Simpson went 3-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Loy went 1-for-1 with three RBI and Rios tallied two hits and three RBI.
GAME TWO
Both teams struggle to find a rhythm on offense in the nightcap. The Hillcats managed to dent the scoreboard first in the top of the fourth with a solo shot by Candace Monigold. McLeod knotted the score in the bottom of the frame with a RBI double to left-center field.
RSU quickly regained the lead in the fifth frame with a Drover error leading to a run, giving RSU the 2-1 advantage.
The Hillcats tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh with a sac fly by Desiree Ayarzagoitia and a RBI single by King.
Laura Fleck (4-0) registered the win in the circle as she tossed the final three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while fanning four batters. Rios tallied the no decision as she hurled the first four innings and allowed one run on four hits with one strikeout.
Rogers State (13-0, 2-0) will return to the Diamond Sports Complex on Thursday as the Hillcats take on USAO in a twin bill starting at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.
