CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State softball had a record-setting day at the Diamond Sports Complex, sweeping Missouri S&T with a pair of run-rule victories as the No. 12 Hillcats defeated the Miners 16-0 and 18-2.
The Hillcats set a school record for runs in an inning with 15 in the first inning of game one, breaking the previous record of 14 set last season at Newman with 14 runs in the fourth inning. The Hillcats record for runs in a first inning was 13 runs, also set last season against Arkansas-Monticello.
Makayla Bowman also set a school record in game one, becoming the first Hillcat in the NCAA era to hit two homeruns in the same inning, as she homered twice in the record-setting first inning.
How It Happened (Game 1): Bowman got things started for the Hillcats in game one with a two-run shot to center field in the front end of back-to-back home runs.
Danelle Day then stepped up and hit a massive home run over the fence in left center.
With the bases loaded, a dropped flyball allowed for the Hillcats to score three runs and continue the inning.
Tailee Reding followed it up two batters later with an RBI single to score
Sabrina Anguiano. Bowman then stepped back in and smashed a three-run shot over the left-field fence for her second home run of the inning to put the Hillcats ahead 10-0.
Hayley Womack would add an RBI single before the Hillcats loaded the bases and
Rylee DeLozier smashed a grand slam to cap the scoring in the inning.
Rogers State would add one more run in the second inning, as Day hit an RBI single to score
Brielle Tyseling.
Andrea Morales tossed a gem in the circle, scattering three hits. Morales finished the game with no walks or hit batters and nine strikeouts.
How It Happened (Game 2): The Hillcats started game two just as strong offensively, scoring 15 runs over the first two innings. RSU took the lead on a single by Day to score Reding.
Allie McFetridge then stepped in and hit a three-run home run for her first hit of the season to give the Hillcats a 4-0 lead.
Kimberli Presnell hit an RBI single to extend the lead and two batters later, Reding drew a bases loaded walk to bring in the final run of the inning.
Rogers State would continue to bring around runs in the second inning.
Jaylan Gibson started the inning with a bases-loaded single to score Day.
Payton Sabolski then walked in McFetridge.
After Presnell scored
Lana Gass on a fielder's choice, the Hillcats loaded the bases again and
Payton Stroud and Reding walked in two more runs for the Hillcats.
Bowman, Day and McFetridge all broght in runs before Gass capped a nine-run inning for the Hillcats by grounding into a fielder's choice that scored Bowman.
Missouri S&T broke its scoreless run with two runs in the third inning. The Hillcats then responded with three more runs in the third inning.
Jackie Zaferes doubled home Stroud to start the scoring in the third. Day then batted home Womack with a ground out. McFetridge capped the scoring with a single to right center to score Zaferes.
M'Kayla Hillman tossed the first three innings of the game, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.
Delanie Freeze closed out the game with the final two innings, tossing four strikeouts with just two hits against her.
Players of Note: Bowman was one of three Hillcats to finish with four hits in the game. Bowman finished with six RBIs and four runs scored to go along with her two homers.
McFetridge finished game two, going 4-for-4 at the plate. The designated plater had five RBIs and two runs scored.
Day wrapped the day going 4-for-5, with a walk and a hit by pitch. She finished with five RBIs and four runs scored.
Like McFetridge, Womack also reached base safely in every appearance at the plate. Womack went 2-for-2 at the plate with three walks. She finished with three runs and a RBI.
Reding went 2-for-3 on the day with three walks. Reding also had three RBIs and four runs scored.
Up Next: Rogers State will set its sights on the MIAA schedule, as the Hillcats open up conference play with doubleheaders against Newman and Central Oklahoma next Friday and Saturday, March 12-13. The Hillcats will host both doubleheaders at the Diamond Sports Complex with a 3 p.m. first pitch against Newman on Friday and a noon start against the Bronchos on Saturday.
