CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Rogers State softball team ended its season on Wednesday afternoon, falling to top-seeded Williams Baptist (Ark.) in the NAIA Opening Round-Rogers State Bracket championship game.
The Hillcats upset the No. 6-ranked Lady Eagles on Tuesday, forcing them to climb to the championship game through the loser's bracket and beat RSU twice to claim the title. WBU forced the if-game with a 4-1 victory in game one and clinched a berth to the NAIA National Championship final site with a 3-0 win in the nightcap.
GAME ONE
In the opener, the Lady Eagles dented the scoreboard first with a sacrifice fly by Lauren Sweeten in the bottom of the third. The WBU lead was short-lived as RSU tied the game in the top of the fourth with a RBI double down the left field line by Katrina Loy.
WBU regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Lady Eagles plated three runs on three hits all with two outs on the scoreboard. RSU battled back in the top of the sixth but left the bases loaded to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth WBU put runners on the corners with no outs but Brittany Merritt hit into a triple play to end the inning. Merritt's fly ball was caught by right fielder Katie Ellington who threw the ball home to catcher Desiree Ayarzagoitia who tagged the runner out at the plate and fired the ball to shortstop Ashlie Fauchier who caught the runner between first and second. She threw the ball to first baseman Toni Shurtliff who tagged the runner out sliding back into first.
Cailin Simpson hit a two-out double in the top of the seventh and Candace Monigold crushed the ball to centerfield but the centerfielder caught the ball against the wall to end the game.
Laura Fleck was tagged with the loss as she allowed four runs on seven hits with one strikeout. Shelby Anderson registered the win in the circle as she allowed one run on seven hits while fanning one.
GAME TWO
Williams Baptist posted a three-spot in the bottom of the first and held on for the win and the Championship. With one out, Lauren Sweeten and Shelby Anderson tallied back-to-back singles while Callie Brooks drove them in with a three-run home run belted over the left field fence.
The Hillcats struggled to find a rhythm on offense as they were held to five hits and left six runners stranded in the contest. Their best opportunity came in the top of the fifth as RSU loaded the bases with one out. Fleck led off the inning and reached on a walk, Desiree Ayarzagoitia singled and Fauchier bunted for a base hit. RSU's momentum was quickly squashed as Jamie King lined the ball down the third base line but the third baseman was able to snag it out of the air and tag Fleck out for a double play to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, WBU threatened with bases loaded but RSU was able to hold them scoreless as they stranded three to end the inning. RSU managed a base hit in the top of the seventh but couldn't ignite the offense.
Ayarzagoitia went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Hillcats. Fleck (29-12) was tagged with the loss in the circle. The sophomore hurler allowed three runs on 12 hits with three walks.
Karisa Hendrix (23-4) tallied the complete-game shutout, allowing five hits with four strikeouts.
Seven Hillcat seniors played their final game in RSU red and blue. Niki Keck, Shona Guerrero, Ashlee Dillman, Shelby Brogdon, Linsey Curtis, Katrina Loy and Ashlie Fauchier made immense contributions to the program during their time on College Hill.
Rogers State (40-18) ended its season and Head Coach Mark Dicus' era as the team's skipper came to an end. The team reached 40 wins for the first time in Dicus' five-year reign and made their first national tournament appearance.
