AUSTIN, Texas – The Rogers State softball team claimed a series victory at St. Edward's splitting Friday's doubleheader closing a 5-2 win in a continued game before falling 9-1 in the finale at Diane Daniels Field.
 
It marked the first Heartland Conference series win on the road as the Hillcats took care of business in the first two games. RSU swept Oklahoma Panhandle State earlier this season in what turned out to be a neutral-site series.
 
GAME TWO
The Hillcats held on to a 5-2 lead for the final three innings of play after the game was suspended after the fourth Thursday evening due to darkness.
 
Bailee Kaderka entered the game for the Hillcats in relief of Jessica Christian who pitched the first four innings Thursday. The Hilltoppers got the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh against Kaderka with a pair of two-out singles, but could not put a run across as RSU picked up the series victory, winning game two, 5-2.
 
Cailin Simpson's two-run double in the top of the second proved to be the difference in a four-run second for the Cats. Christian earned her first win of the season scattering five hits over four innings allowing two runs.
 
GAME THREE
SEU avoided the sweep and jumped out early opening the series finale scoring four runs in a five-hit first inning off RSU starter Christian. Emily Mayfield launched a two-run home run capping the scoring for the Hilltoppers in the frame.
 
Katlin Alexander answered back for the Hillcats leading off the second by sending a ball over the fence in left cutting the deficit to 4-1.
 
The margin stretched to 6-1 in the second as SEU got a sacrifice fly before Mayfield added an RBI single with two outs. Morgan Dufour hit her second sac fly of the game in the bottom of the fourth and the Hilltoppers went on to win for the first time in the all-time history against RSU, 9-1, adding a pair in the sixth for the run rule.
 
Christian was tagged with the loss for the Hillcats pitching all 5.2 innings allowing nine runs on 12 hits. Sarah Debrow pitched her second complete game of the series earning the win while giving up one run on two hits and struck out four.
 
Rogers State (11-23, 7-13 HC) returns to Claremore for a non-conference doubleheader April 13, playing host to Missouri Southern. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Diamond Sports Complex and can be viewed live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com/live.