HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Rogers State baseball (0-2) dropped a 10-7 game to Ouachita Baptist (1-2) in the finale of the Dugan Invitational on Monday. Skyler Nelson was named to the All-Tournament team after going 5-for-8 with two RBI and two runs in the two games.
 
The Hillcats got things started things by taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Gavin Mestas walked to lead off the game and later scored on an error by the third baseman after Jesse Holguin laid down a bunt single. The Tigers responded in the bottom half of the frame to take the lead 2-1 with a RBI single up the middle and a sacrifice fly to right.
 
RSU tied it up 2-2 in the top of the third as Skylar Nelson drove in AJ Folds with a RBI double down the left field line. However, OBU answered again with two more runs in the bottom half on a RBI fielder's choice and a RBI single to right.
 
The Tigers pushed their lead out to 7-2 with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. A RBI single to left center brought in the first run with the other two coming on a two RBI triple to right center.
 
The Hillcats cut the lead to 7-5 with three runs of their own in the top of the seventh. Mestas plated Marco Barrera with a RBI triple to left center. Mestas came home on a Folds ground out to first. Prescott Horn scored on a Nelson RBI to left field.
 
RSU cut the deficit to one run at 7-6 in the top of the eighth as Andrew Howard crossed home on a Horn sacrifice fly to center. Unfortunately, the Tigers pushed the lead back out to 10-6 with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Two runs came in on a two RBI single to center with the other crossing on an error by the shortstop.
 
The Hillcats attempted a comeback in the top of the ninth as Holguin scored on an error by the second baseman to make it 10-7, but that would be as close as they would get.
 
Cameron Marchant (1-0) earned the win. Brent Dickey (0-1) took the loss.
 
RSU will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 11 as they return home to the Diamond Sports Complex for a home-opening four-game series against Colorado School of Mines. First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m.