TOPEKA, Kan. – No. 8 Rogers State softball (39-9, 16-6) dropped a doubleheader on the road against Washburn (40-11, 22-2 MIAA) in the regular season road finale on Monday.
GAME ONE - WU 2, RSU 0
The first game of the day was a total pitcher's duel with both starters working absolute gems inside the circle. After RSU gave up a single to lead off the second inning, both pitchers worked four perfect frames with five strikeouts between the two sides.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Hillcats broke up Jaycee Ginter's perfect game bid as Makayla Bowman singled down the right field line and advanced to second on a fielding error by the right fielder. Unfortunately, she was left stranded as the Ichabods got two quick outs to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Washburn got a leadoff single up the middle to put a runner on base. Facing an 0-2 count, the Ichabods launched a two-run home run over the center field wall to walk the game off with a 2-0 win.
Ginter (26-3) earned the win only allowing the one hit with six strikeouts. Andrea Morales (23-3), the reigning MIAA Pitcher of the Week, unfortunately took the loss after working 6.0 stellar innings with six strikeouts.
GAME TWO - WU 3, RSU 2
The second game looked to start on the same path as the first one with neither starter giving up a run in the first two innings.
However, the Hillcats got on the board first this time with two runs in the third inning to take an early 2-0 lead. After Kimberli Presnell led off the inning with a single up the middle, Lana Gass brought her in with a two-run blast to left.
The Ichabods responded in the bottom of the fifth with three runs to take a 3-2 lead. Two back-to-back singles started the inning off. On a 3-1 count, WU took the lead with a three-run shot to left center.
RSU tried to mount a comeback in the sixth as both Nicole Price and Makayla Bowman got on base with singles, but were eventually left stranded. They again got a runner on in the top of the seventh as Callie Yellin was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, however three quick outs followed to end the game.
Reagan Hamm (10-6) earned the win, with Jaycee Ginter (3) earning the save. M'Kayla Hillman (13-6) took the loss.
The Hillcats will be back in action on Friday, April 29 as they face off against Fort Hays State to begin the final homestand of the regular season. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.
