CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State baseball team tallied a doubleheader split against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday afternoon at the Diamond Sports Complex.
 
The Hillcats used a three-run third to register the 4-1 victory over the Rangers in the opener. In the finale, NWOSU collected 19 hits to split the series with an 11-0 win.
 
GAME ONE
The Hillcats jumped out to an early one-run lead in the bottom of the first frame. Chase Knott drew a walk to start the inning and Caleb Kohlmeyer followed with a single ripped through the left side of the infield. Both base runners moved into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt by Cesar Rodriguez and Knott gave the Hillcats the go-ahead run, scoring on a wild pitch.
 
The Rangers evened the score in the top of the second as Joshua Caruso belted a full count, solo shot over the centerfield fence. It was the senior's second round trip of the year.
 
RSU regained the advantage in the bottom of the third, opening the inning with three consecutive doubles. Kohlmeyer led with a double to left field and scored on a double ripped down the left field line by Rodriguez. The consecutive doubles chased NWOSU starting pitcher Tito Montano Jr. but reliever Thomas Sander gave up a RBI double to Andrew Vanisi to start his appearance. Trae BoBo rounded out the scoring in the inning with a RBI groundout, pushing the RSU lead to 4-1.
 
The three-run advantage held through the final four innings. Zach Tyson (1-1) registered the win on the mound for RSU, tossing 5.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits while fanning three. Hunter Spencer retired the final batter in the sixth and Edward Layton registered his first save of the season, fanning one in the scoreless seventh.
 
Kohlmeyer led the Hillcat offense in the victory, going 3-3 with one run scored.
 
GAME TWO
In the nightcap, the Hillcat offense couldn't find a rhythm as they were held to just one hit in the contest.
 
The Rangers pounded out 19 hits en route to the 11-run victory. The Hillcats stranded six runners in the contest and NWOSU scored runs in all but the second frame.
 
Jason Barlett earned the win, allowing just one hit through five scoreless innings while Erik Estrada was tagged with the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in two innings of work.
 
Rogers State (10-18) returns to action at the Diamond Sports Complex on Thursday as the Hillcats host Texas A&M International. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. with live streaming on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.