JOPLIN, Mo. – Rogers State softball split its doubleheader at Missouri Southern Saturday evening in MIAA play.
 
GAME ONE
#22 Rogers State 3, Missouri Southern 5
Records:  Rogers State (20-11, 9-6 MIAA)  |  Missouri Southern (17-11-1, 8-4-1 MIAA)
W: Bailey Lacy (6-1)  |  L: Andrea Morales (12-5)

How It Happened

• The Hillcats fell behind early, as Makaila Leonhart stole home to give Missouri Southern an early lead.
• Lana Gass tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second, scoring Abigail Taylor for the first Hillcat run of the game.
• Missouri Southern retook the lead in the second, capitalizing on a Hillcat error to go up 2-1.
• The Lions extended the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the third with a one-out double to score two runs.
• Elexis Watson hit an RBI single in the fourth to score Taylor and cut the deficit to two runs. Later in the inning, Gass singled to left, scoring Gibson as the Hillcats cut it to 4-3.
• However, Missouri Southern scored on a bunt single in the bottom of the fourth to go back up by two on what would be the final run of the game.

Game Notes

• Morales picked up the loss after going 2.1 innings with two earned runs against.
• M'Kayla Hillman pitched the final 3.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits.
• Gass was the only Hillcat with multiple hits in the game, as she drove in two runs on a double and a single.
• Gibson and Watson each finished with a hit and a walk.

GAME TWO
#22 Rogers State 7, Missouri Southern 1
Records:  Rogers State (21-11, 10-6 MIAA)  |  Missouri Southern (12-20, 8-5-1 MIAA)
W: Andrea Morales (12-4)  |  L: Kara Amos (4-4)

How It Happened

• The Hillcats jumped out to an early lead, as Danelle Day hit an RBI single to center to score Tailee Reding in the top of the first.
• Payton Stroud and Reding would each have a RBI single in the second, as Rogers State extended its lead to 3-0 as Watson and Gass scored.
• After three scoreless innings, Watson hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth to extend Rogers State's lead to 4-0 as Kimberli Presnell scored on the play.
• Rogers State would add three runs in the seventh. Makayla Bowman hit a RBI single to score Sabrina Anguiano. Taylor then singled up the middle to score Reding and Faren Walker, as RSU went ahead 7-0.
• Missouri Southern would avoid the shutout with a RBI double in the bottom of the seventh.

Game Notes

• Morales pitched all seven innings, allowing just the one run on six hits and two walks. Morales finished with six strikeouts.
• The Hillcats outhit the Lions 12-6 and had four players record two-hit games. In total, eight Hillcats had a hit in the game.
• The win earned the Hillcats a doubleheader split with Missouri Southern.

Up Next
Rogers State will be back in action on Tuesday, jumping back into non-conference play, as the Hillcats welcome in Arkansas Tech for a doubleheader at the Diamond Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.