CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State softball picked up a win and a tie in Tuesday night's non-conference doubleheader against Arkansas Tech at the Diamond Sports Complex.
GAME ONE
#22 Rogers State 7, Arkansas Tech 3
Records: Rogers State (22-11) | Arkansas Tech (18-14)
W: Andrea Morales (14-5) |
L: Shannon Lasey (6-5)
How It Happened
- Hillcats took an early lead as Makayla Bowman hit a one-out double down the left field line in the bottom of the first that scored Tailee Reding from second.
- Rogers State would load the bases later in the inning and Jaylan Gibson hit an RBI single to left, bringing around Bowman as Rogers State went up 2-0.
- The Hillcats would extend the lead in the fourth inning, as Bowman hit a bases loaded single through the left side, scoring Payton Stroud and Sabrina Anguiano, giving RSU a 4-0 lead.
- Arkansas Tech would break up a no hitter from Andrea Morales with one out in the fifth. The Golden Suns would go on to plate one run in the inning on a sacrifice fly.
- Rogers State responded in the bottom of the fifth, as Elexis Watson hit a two-run home run to straightaway centerfield. Gibson also scored on the play after reaching on a single earlier in the inning.
- Arkansas Tech would get a run back in the sixth with a solo home run, but Rogers State answered it with a solo home run from Bowman in the bottom of the sixth to extend the Hillcat lead back to five runs at 7-2.
Game Notes
- Morales carried a no hitter through 4.1 innings, the longest start to a game this season. The previous long to start a game was 4.0 innings by Delanie Freeze against Newman.
- Morales matched a career high with 13 strikeouts in the game. The junior had just five hits and a walk against her.
- Morales also surpassed 600 career strikeouts in the game, sitting at 604 for her career.
- Bowman was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with 4 RBIs and two runs scored. The junior had two doubles and a home run.
- Gibson was the only other Hillcat with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.
GAME TWO
#22 Rogers State 2, Arkansas Tech 2 (5 innings – Lightning)
Records: Rogers State (22-11-1) | Arkansas Tech (18-14-1)
How It Happened
- The Golden Suns put up the first runs of the game in the second inning, capitalizing on two Hillcat errors to score two runs on a single and then a passed ball to take a 2-0 lead.
- Rogers State would get runners on second and third in the fourth inning as Bowman led off with a single and Danelle Day doubling in the next at bat.
- After pinch runners were brought in for both Bowman and Day, Jaylan Gibson hit a bunt single that scored Jackie Zaferes from third. Gibson made the turn for second, and on the throw to second, Kimberli Presnell scored after advancing to third initially on the bunt.
- After a one-two-three top of the sixth inning, the game was suspended due to lightning and was unable to be resumed. By NCAA rule book, the game reverted to the last completed inning, which was the end of the fifth inning, resulting in a 2-2 tie.
Game Notes
- M'Kayla Hillman pitched five innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits. She finished with five strikeouts.
- Day finished 2-for-2 with a double, while Tailee Reding was 1-for-2 with a walk. They were the only Hillcats to reach base multiple times in the game.
- For the first time in program history, Rogers State softball had a game suspended due to weather that resulted in a tie.
Up Next
Rogers State heads back on the road for six-straight away from home to close out the away schedule for the 2021 regular season. The Hillcats will begin the road swing with a doubleheader against Northeastern State on Saturday, April 17. First pitch is set for noon in Tahlequah.
