OKLAHOMA CITY – The fifth-seeded Rogers State Hillcats fell in the opening game of pool play at Jim Wade Stadium Wednesday afternoon as the four-seed USAO claimed the 6-5 victory in the first day of Sooner Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament action.
The Hillcats struck first as Colton Campbell's two-out single to right scored Jose Olazagasti from third after the junior second baseman reached on a two-out single to right-center as RSU led 1-0.
The Drovers tied the game in the top of the third with a RBI ground out by Brian Vigo scored Jared Coon. USAO added a pair of runs in the fifth inning with a Zach Gonzalez double down the left field line scoring Coon and Heath Wilda for the 3-1 lead.
RSU answered in the home half of the fifth with a double by Eric Baker scored Blake Heston from second with just one out. The Cats tied the contest at three runs a piece in the sixth as Cody Campbell hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score his brother Colton Campbell from second.
USAO struck again in the seventh with a RBI double by Gonzalez scored Wilda from second. Two batters later Owen Adams' sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Gonzalez stretching the Drover lead back to two runs.
A single by Hector Rivera in the home half of the seventh score Alex Cochran, courtesy running for catch Emmanuel De La Cruz, trimming the Drover advantage to one run. Colton Campbell tallied his second RBI of the day with a single to right scoring Baker.
The decisive run came in the eighth inning as Robert Summers scored from third on a double play ground out by the Drovers number three hitter Wilda.
Shawn Spainhoward received the no-decision for the Hillcats on the mound as the senior southpaw got the start. Spainhoward went seven innings allowing five runs, two earned, as he gave up 11 hits.
T.J. Law (1-2) received the loss for the Cats in one and two-third innings of relief action. The sophomore right-hander struck out three but issued two walks and one earned run on three hits. Jesus Del Rosario pitched the final out for the Hillcats in the loss.
Josh Goodman (5-1) earned the victory going two and two-thirds innings of relief work as he gave up just three hits. Blake McMullen lasted six and one-third innings in the start for the Drovers. McMullen fanned four and allowed nine hits leading to five earned runs.
Senior left fielder Colton Campbell went 3-for-4 at the plate and reached base on balls once. The Hillcats committed three errors and allowed 14 runs to the Drovers.
Rogers State (31-21), the fifth seed in the SAC Tournament will face the regular season champions Oklahoma City University Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. RSU Radio 91.3FM and the Hillcat Network (www.rsuhillcats.com/live) will provide live play-by-play action .
