ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – No. 3 Rogers State softball (33-3, 12-0 MIAA) started the eight game road trip off with a sweep of Missouri Western (17-18, 7-7 MIAA) on Saturday.
GAME ONE - RSU 2, MWSU 1 10 Innings
The first game of the day was a defensive battle with both starters refusing to give up a run in the first three innings. Through those frames, the Griffons were the only side to allow a single hit as Nicole Price reached on a bunt single and was left stranded in the first inning.
The Hillcats finally broke through by taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Abbey Rogers drove in Price with a RBI single to center. MWSU responded by tying things up with a run of their own on a RBI double to right center in the bottom half of the inning.
It would take six more innings before another run crossed home plate. Both teams managed to scatter a combined four hits in those frames.
In the top of the 10th, Bridgett Morales singled through the left side and was pinch run for by Rebecca Bell. Lana Gass moved Bell over to second with a bunt single. On a 1-1 count, Elexis Watson singled, driving in Bell for what would become the game winning run as the Griffons went down in order in the bottom of the 10th.
Andrea Morales (19-1) continued her dominance as she went the distance to earn the win with 14 strikeouts. Sydney Rader (7-6) took the loss.
GAME TWO - RSU 3, MWSU 1
The second game was just as close as both starters worked the opening frame with giving up a run.
The Hillcats were first on the board again with a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Faren Walker crossed home on an error by the first baseman.
RSU tacked on another run in the fourth to push out to 2-0. Abbey Rogers came up big again as she launched a solo blast over the left field wall.
The Griffons got a run back in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 2-1. The run came in on a RBI single up the middle.
The Hillcats sealed the 3-1 win with a final run in the top of the seventh. Marissa Smith scored on a RBI bunt single from Bridgett Morales.
M'Kayla Hillman (11-2) earned the complete game win working 7.0 innings with seven strikeouts. Natalie Kissinger (7-9) took the loss.
RSU will continued the road trip on Sunday, April 10 as they travel to Maryville, Mo. to face off against Northwest Missouri. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 12 p.m.
