GULF SHORES, Ala. – Rogers State Softball opened up its season with a 1-1 split at the Gulf Shores Invitational hosted at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
 
The Hillcats opened the day with a 5-1 victory over Palm Beach Atlantic in the afternoon before a comeback bid fell short in an 8-7 loss to Delta State Saturday night
 
How It Happened (Game 1): The Hillcats jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning against Palm Beach Atlantic, as Makayla Bowman singled to center field scoring Sabrina Anguiano, who singled to start the game and then stole second base.
 
The Sailfish answered back in the bottom half of the inning as Magnolia West tripled to lead off for Palm Beach and then scored on a ground out.
 
Rogers State would respond in the top of the second inning, as the Hillcats loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. Danelle Day then singled home a run to give the Hillcats the lead again.
 
That would be all the runs need for Andrea Morales, who pitched six scoreless innings after that to give the Hillcats the win in the opener.
 
Rogers State would add insurance runs in the fourth inning as Day brought around two more runs with a double down the right field line to score Anguiano and Kimberli Presnell.
 
Day would then come around to score on a single to left by Elexis Watson.
 
How It Happened (Game 2): After a scoreless first inning, the Hillcats fell behind in the second inning after an error allowed the Lady Statesmen to plate a pair of unearned runs.
 
Rogers State would respond with a run in the third and another in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2/ After Presnell doubled to lead off the third inning, she would make her way to third on a ground out and then score on a sacrifice fly by Day.
 
In the fourth inning, Bowman reached on an error to start the inning. She would be pinch ran for by Faren Walker, who would later come around to score the tying run on a Mikayla Waggnor single up the middle.
 
However, the woes would continue for Rogers State, who committed two more errors in the fifth inning, allowing Delta State to add three more unearned runs to take a 5-2 advantage.
 
Delta State would capitalize on another error in the sixth to take a 6-2 in the sixth inning.
 
The Hillcats would get one run back in the bottom of the sixth inning as Day and Watson hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Day would eventually come around to score after a passed ball and then an RBI groundout by Bowman.
 
The Lady Statesmen would add their first two earned runs of the game in the top of the seventh on four hits, and they proved to be vital as Rogers State mounted a strong comeback bid in the final inning.
 
Rylee DeLozier and Hayley Womack would hit back-to-back singles to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Allie McFetridge then loaded the bases with a one-out walk and Day stepped up to knock home two runs, cutting the deficit to 8-5.
 
Following a walk by Watson, the Hillcats would have the bases loaded again and scored two more runs on a fielder's choice.
 
With a runner on first and two outs, the Hillcats rally would fall short as Abigail Taylor had a strikeout to end the game.
 
Players of Note: Morales picked up the victory in game one, as the El Paso, Texas native would allow just the one run on five hits with nine strikeouts and no walks.
 
Day finished the opening two games with a 5-for-7 day at the plate, including six RBIs and a run scored.
 
Presnell was 2-for-5 in her debut with a double and three runs scored. Watson and Anguiano were both 2-for-6 in their first games for Rogers State. Anguiano had three walks and a run scored. Watson had a walk, an RBI and a hit by pitch.
 
Allie McFetridge was just 1-for-1 at the plate, but she also worked the count for three walks.
 
Key Statistic: The Hillcats finished the day with six fielding errors, including five in the game against the Lady Statesmen. Of the nine runs allowed, the Hillcats gave up just three earned runs, one in the opener and two in the loss to Delta State.
 
Notes: Rogers State's victory over Palm Beach Atlantic was the third-straight season-opening victory for the Hillcats. Rogers State improves to 11-4 all time in season openers.
 
The Hillcats fall to 0-2 all-time against Delta State.
 
Rogers State split the opening day of games for the second-straight season.
 
Up Next: The Hillcats wrap up the Gulf Shores Invitational on Sunday with games against Nova Southeastern and Spring Hill College. The Hillcats will get things underway against Nova at 11:#0 a.m. with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. in the finale against Spring Hill.