EDMOND, Okla. – Rogers State softball advanced to championship Saturday of the MIAA Tournament, fighting through the loser's bracket with two victories to fight off elimination Friday afternoon with wins over Missouri Southern and then host No. 14 Central Oklahoma.
GAME ONE
Rogers State 2, Missouri Southern 1
Records: Rogers State (33-14-1) | Missouri Southern (30-15-1)
W: Andrea Morales (23-6) |
L: Bailey Lacy (10-3)
How It Happened
- Jaylen Gibson scored the first run of the game for the Hillcats in the first inning after Danelle Day hit an RBI single to the pitcher.
- The Lions would answer with an RBI single to right field following an error to tie things up at one a piece in the second inning with an unearned run.
- Rogers State would regain the lead in the fourth inning with one run on four hits. The run came after Elexis Watson hit an RBI single to first base, which allowed pinch runner Jackie Zaferes to advance home.
- Morales was able to hold the Lions hitless for the remaining three innings of the contest, as Rogers State was able to hold on and advance through the loser's bracket.
Game Notes
- Lana Gass led the Hillcats with two hits in her three at bats.
- Day and Watson each had a hit and an RBI in the game.
- Gibson and Zaferes were the two Hillcats to cross home plate with runs.
- Gibson and Abigail Taylor both walked in the game.
- Tailee Reding and Makayla Bowman also had hits in the game.
- Morales picked up her 23rd victory of the season in the circle for the Hillcats. She recorded four strikeouts and only allowed two hits in seven innings.
GAME TWO
Rogers State 3, #14 Central Oklahoma 2
Records: Rogers State (34-14-1) | Central Oklahoma (35-12)
W: M'Kayla Hillman (9-4) |
L: Kylee Lynch (18-5)
How It Happened
- The Bronchos were able to strike first in the top of the first with an RBI single with a runner on third base.
- A big third inning sparked life into the Hillcats, who were hitless up until that point.
- The first hit of the inning came from Gibson, who singled though the right side of the infield
- Reding began the scoring for the Hillcats with a two-run home run to left field on the first pitch that she saw from Lynch at the plate.
- Later in the inning, Day hit a solo home run to right field to give the Hillcats a 3-1 advantage.
- Hillman and Hillcats were able to get out of a jam in the fifth inning and not allow any runs, after the Bronchos were able to load the bases with zero outs in the inning.
- Rogers State was also not able to capitalize in the fifth inning, as Faren Walker and Brielle Tyseling were stranded on second and third when the inning was retired.
- Central Oklahoma was able to make it a one-run game in the sixth inning with two hits and an RBI double to right center field.
- In the seventh inning, Reding made the play of the game with one out and a player at first base. Reding made an incredible sliding grab in center field and proceeded to throw out the runner returning to first for a game-ending double play.
Game Notes
- Reding was the only Hillcat with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-3 with the home run and two RBIs.
- Day went 1-for-2 from the plate and also had a walk to go along with her solo hom run that proved to be the winning run.
- Gibson and Watson each had hit for the Hillcats in game two. Gibson scored a run and Watson also had a walk.
- Hillman picked up her ninth win of the season with three strikeouts in seven innings pitched. Hillman remains undefeated against the regular season MIAA champions with her second win against Central Oklahoma this season.
- The win elevates Rogers State out of the loser's bracket and into the championship game on Saturday.
Up Next
Rogers State softball will return to action tomorrow at Broncho Stadium, as the Hillcats will face off with the Central Missouri Jennies in the MIAA Championship. First pitch in game one is scheduled for noon on Saturday. The Hillcats will need to win two games to claim the championship. The second game will immediately follow game one, if necessary.
