JOPLIN, Mo. – Rogers State baseball's season came to a close on Friday as the Hillcats fell to Pittsburg State in heartbreaking fashion in an elimination game in the MIAA Tournament.

Rogers State 6, Pittsburg State 7
Records:  Rogers State (20-22)  |  Pittsburg State (29-14)
W: Dawson Pomeroy (3-0)  |  L: Vinny Riggio (1-1)
 
How It Happened

• After a scoreless first inning, the Hillcats took the lead in the second inning, capitalizing on a Pittsburg State error. Kyle Simms hit a sacrifice fly to score Brandon Bradshaw for the first run of the game.
• Christian Merriwether then put a ball in play that led to another error, as Skyler Nelson scored from third to double the Hillcat lead.
• In the bottom of the third, Prescott Horn hit the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence to make it 3-0. In the very next pitch, Bradshaw hit another home run to nearly the same spot, as the Hillcats took a 4-0 lead.
• Pittsburg State would get on the scoreboard in the fifth inning, bringing a run across with a sacrifice fly.
• The Gorillas would take advantage of an error by the Hillcats to add a run in the seventh, cutting the Hillcat lead to 4-2.
• Rogers State responded by loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh and then scored two runs on a throwing error that would have ended the inning, as the Hillcats restored a four-run lead at 6-2.
• However, the lead would vanish in the top of the eighth, as the Gorillas led off the inning with back-to-back home runs. Later in the inning, a two-out double brought two runs around to tie the game at 6.
• After a walk put runners on first and second, a fielding error allowed for Pittsburg State to take the lead.
• The Hillcats would be retired in order over the final six batters to end the game.

Game Notes

• Corey Murphy tossed six innings in a no decision, allowing just two runs, one earned, on four hits. Murphy finished with two strikeouts
• Skyler Nelson was the only Hillcat with multiple hits in the game, as he finished 2-for-4 at the plate.
• Horn finished 1-for-4 at the plate with a walk. He also had a stolen base.
• Bradshaw finished with a hit and was also hit by a pitch. He led the Hillcats with two runs scored.
• Simms and Davin Kapuras each went 1-for-1 at the plate. Simms also had a walk.

Up Next: With the loss, Rogers State's season comes to a close. The Hillcats finish the MIAA Tournament with a 2-2 record and close their first full season in the MIAA at 20-22.