CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 4 Rogers State (24-2, 4-0 MIAA) notched their ninth and 10th straight victories with a doubleheader sweep of Pittsburg State (21-10, 3-3 MIAA) on Friday.
GAME ONE - RSU 3, PSU 2
In what was a classic pitcher's duel for most of the game, the Gorillas got on the board first with a 1-0 lead in the top of the third after both starters worked two hitless frames to open the game. The run scored on a RBI double to right center.
The Hillcats responded in the bottom of the fourth to tie things at 1-1. Bridgett Morales drove in Kimberli Presnell with a RBI single up the middle.
PSU retook the lead in the top of the fifth with a solo shot over the right field wall. However, RSU quickly countered and retied things at 2-2 in the bottom half of the inning as Jaylan Gibson crossed home on a bases loaded walk.
Both teams remained deadlocked through the next two frames, forcing the game into extra innings. The Gorillas went quietly in the top of the eight with three quick outs. In the bottom of half of the eighth, with Rebecca Bell standing on second, Chelsea Spain came through with a walk-off RBI double down the left field line to capture the 3-2 win.
Andrea Morales (14-1) earned the complete game win going 8.0 innings with eight strikeouts, no walks and only allowing four hits. Taylor Compton (2-1) took the loss.
GAME TWO - RSU 4, PSU 3
In the second game, the Gorillas once again struck first as the went up 1-0 in the first inning. The run scored on a throwing error by the shortstop.
The Hillcats responded in the bottom of the second as they put up three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Kimberli Presnell tied the game as she drove in Marissa Smith with a RBI single to right. Callie Yellin later brought in Presnell and Natalie Gonzalez with a two RBI double to center.
PSU got a run back in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2. A RBI single to third brought in the run.
RSU answered back with a run in the bottom of the fourth to push back out to 4-2. Tailee Reding brought in Rebecca Bell with a RBI single to left center.
The Gorillas tried to rally in the top of the sixth but came up short as they were only able to scratch across one run and trim the lead to 4-3 with a RBI single thought the left side of the infield.
M'Kayla Hillman (7-1) earned the complete game win going 7.0 innings with two strikeouts. Hannah Harrison (11-3) took the loss.
The Hillcats return to action tomorrow as they welcome Missouri Southern to the Diamond Sports Complex. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is slated for 12 p.m.
