CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 1 Rogers State softball (2-0) began the defense of their 2022 National Championship with a sweep of Cameron (0-2) on Opening Day Monday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 6, CU 0
 
After unveiling new signage permanently commemorating the 2022 National Championship before the game, the Hillcats broke the seal on the 2023 campaign. Both starters worked the first two frames with out giving up a run.
 
The RSU bats finally came alive in the bottom of the third with three runs to go up 3-0. Bridgett Morales led off the inning with a double to left center. She moved over to third thanks to a Jaylan Gibson single up the middle to put runners at the corners. With one out and facing a full count, Marissa Smith unloaded on a ball and drove it over the left centerfield wall for three-run home run, the first round-tripper of her collegiate career.
 
In the fourth inning, the Hillcats tacked on another run to push out to 4-0. Jaylan Gibson launched the first pitch she saw to left field for her first homer of the season.
 
RSU added two final runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the 6-0 win. Chelsea Spain reached on a full count walk. A 3-1 walk put Lana Gass on and moved Spain to second. Abbey Rogers single to deep left center to plate Spain. Morales then singled to right to bring in Gass.
 
Sara Llamas-Howell (1-0) earned her first win as a Hillcat working 5.0 shutout innings and only allowing one hit with five strikeouts and only one walk. Harley Culie was also excellent out of the bullpen, not allowing a run in the final two innings with two strikeouts. Robyn Bales (0-1) suffered the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 4, CU 2
 
The second game of the day was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel early on as both starters worked no-hitters through the first three innings.
 
The Aggies finally broke through for their first runs of the day taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth. After back-to-back singles, a RBI double to center scored both runs.
 
RSU answered back in the bottom half of the fourth with two runs of their own to tie the game. Callie Yellin reached on a fielding error by the center fielder. A fielding error by the third baseman put runners in scoring position with Marissa Smith reaching second. A full count walk to Chelsea Spain loaded the bases with two outs. MaKayla Jackson was hit by a pitch to bring in Yellin. Lana Gass drove in Smith with a RBI single to left.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Hillcats took the lead 4-2 with two more runs. Paxton Donaldson led off the frame with a bunt single and moved to second on a throwing error by the catcher. Facing a 1-2 count with one out, Smith went yard for the second time with a moonshot to straight-away center.
Harley Culie (1-0) earned her first win working 3.0 shutout innings out of the bullpen, only allowing two hits with two strikeouts. Josie Swafford (0-1) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action as they go on their first road trip of the season beginning on Friday, Feb. 10 and travel to Bentonville, Ark. for the Alvy Early/UAM Softball Classic to take on Drury in the first game of the tournament. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.