CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State softball advanced to the Championship Round of the MIAA Tournament after picking up a thrilling doubleheader victory over Fort Hays State on Friday at the Diamond Sports Complex.
GAME ONE
Rogers State 3, Fort Hays State 2
Records: Rogers State (31-13-1) | Fort Hays State (24-21)
W: Andrea Morales (22-5) |
L: Michaelanne Nelson (11-12)
How It Happened
- Elexis Watson doubled to right center field in the second inning to send in Lana Gass for the first run of the game.
- In the fifth inning, Jaylan Gibson hit her fourth home run of the season to give the Hillcats their second run of the contest.
- The Tigers were able to tie the game and earn their first hits of the contest in the sixth inning, after a two RBI single to center field.
- The Hillcats were unable to respond in the bottom of the sixth, as they were retired with the bases loaded.
- After a scoreless seventh and eighth innings, Watson would give the Hillcats the win in walk off fashions as she hit a towering solo home run down the left field line to lead off the bottom of the ninth.
Game Notes
- Morales picked up her 22nd victory of the season, recording 14 strikeouts with just four hits allowed and two runs in nine innings pf work. Morales had a no hitter going into the sixth inning, allowing just one walk to lead off the game before that.
- Watson finished the game 3-for-4 from the plate with two RBIs and a run scored.
- Gibson and Gass would score the other Hillcat runs in the game.
- Gass was also walked a pair of times at the plate and Tailee Reding was walked once.
- Rogers State extends their winning streak to seven with the win in game one of the doubleheader.
GAME TWO
Rogers State 4, Fort Hays State 1
Records: Rogers State (32-13-1) | Fort Hays State (24-22)
W: M'Kayla Hillman (8-4) |
L: Hailey Chapman (12-9)
How It Happened
- Makayla Bowman and Gibson scored the first two runs of the game after an RBI single to right field from Abigail Taylor.
- In the top of the fourth, the Hillcats would get out of a jam with runners on second and third with no outs, pulling of a triple play, their first in the NCAA era. Sabrina Anguiano fielded a grounder at short and was able to throw the runner from third out at home. Then Day was able to throw out the runner advancing to third from second. The final out came after Gibson threw out the batter trying to advance to second after reaching on the fielder's choice.
- In the bottom of the fourth, an RBI single up the middle from Brielle Tyseling with a full count allowed pinch runner Jackie Zaferes to score to extend the Hillcats lead to 3-0.
- Danelle Day picked her final RBI at the Diamond Sports Complex with a single up the middle to score Reding in the fifth and extend RSU's lead to 4-0.
- The Tigers were able to score their first run of the game in the seventh inning, but were unable to capitalize with the bases loaded, as a ground out to Watson ended the game.
Game Notes
- Bowman finished the game 1-for-2 from the plate, with a run scored and a walk.
- Taylor finished the game 1-for-3 from the plate, with a pair of RBIs to add.
- Day finished the game 1-for-2 from the plate, with an RBI and a walk. The walk was Day's 100th of her career.
- Gibson, Reding, and Zaferes each scored a run in the game.
- Hillman picked up her eighth win of the season, with five strikeouts in seven innings pitched. She allowed the one run and had just one walk against.
Up Next
Rogers State will now travel to Edmond to take on the Bronchos of Central Oklahoma in the first game in the double elimination MIAA Tournament. First pitch in the opening game of the tournament is set for 2 p.m. on Thursday at Broncho Softball FIeld. Game two of the tournament will take place on Friday.
