PITTSBURG, Kan. – Rogers State baseball (19-16, 12-9 MIAA) opened the road trip with a 5-3 win in game one against Pittsburg State (21-12, 15-6 MIAA) on Friday.

The Hillcats jumped on the board early with a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Jesse Holguin got things started as he drove in Gavin Mestas for the game's first run with a RBI double down the left field line.

PSU tied things up at 1-1 in the bottom of the second. The run came in on a RBI groundout to second base.

RSU exploded for three runs in the top of the third to push out to a 4-1 lead. Holguin once again came up big at the plate, this time with a three-run homer over the right field wall plating Jonathan Soto and Mestas.

The Gorillas responded with a two runs in the bottom half of the third to trim the deficit to 4-3. Both runs scored on a two RBI single up the middle.

The Hillcats tacked on a final run in the fifth inning to go up 5-3. Holguin completed his five RBI night bringing in Mestas again with a RBI single to center field.

Both pitching staffs worked the final four innings without giving up a run, with PSU scattering two hits and RSU scattering three.

Jordan Ewig (5-3) earned the win working 5.0 innings with Octavio Sanchez (5) earning the save. Brent Dickey was also effective out of the bullpen working 3.0 innings and only allowing one hit with two strikeouts. PSU's Tanner Lane (3-3) took the loss.

The Hillcats will look to claim the series in game two tomorrow. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.