CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 2 Rogers State softball (23-2) swept Southwestern Oklahoma State (5-24) in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 3, SWOSU 0
 
The first game of the of the day was an old fashioned pitcher's duel.
 
The Hillcats pushed across of the game's only runs in the first inning. Chelsea Spain led off with a four-pitch walk. Lana Gass also earned a four-pitch walk to put runners at first and second with one out. Facing a full count with two outs, Abbey Rogers launched a three-run blast over the left center field wall for her first homer of the season and plated both Spain and Gass.
 
Over the remaining six innings, the two pitching staffs combined to scatter four hits with seven runners left stranded.
 
Sara Llamas-Howell (11-0) earned the win working 5.0 innings while scattering two hits with one strikeout. Courtney Hill (1) earned her first save of the season closing out the final 2.0 innings without allowing a hit and striking out four batters. Brianna Cryer (3-10) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 5, SWOSU 2
 
The second game was a change of pace as both starters worked out of bases loaded jams without allowing a run in the first inning.
 
RSU broke through in the second inning, taking an early 1-0 lead. Callie Yellin led the frame off reaching first on a throwing error by the shortstop and then proceeded to steal second. Paxton Donaldson drove her in with a double to left.
 
The Hillcats added two more runs in the fourth to go up 3-0. Marissa Smith earned a 3-1 walk to start the inning and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Donaldson then reached on a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners. Chelsea Spain brought in Smith with a sacrifice fly to left. Makayla Jackson then scored Donaldson with a double through the left side of the infield.
 
RSU extended their lead out to 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth with two final runs. Lana Gass walked on four pitches with one out. Rogers then belted a line drive over the left center field wall for her second bomb of the day, scoring Gass.
 
The Bulldogs got two runs back in the seventh but couldn't complete the comeback as the Hillcats won 5-2. A sacrifice fly scored the first run with a single back to the pitcher scoring the second run from third.
 
Jade Sanders (7-0) earned the win working 5.1 shutout innings while scattering two hits with four strikeouts. Taryn Westbrook (0-12) took the loss.
 
RSU will return to MIAA play on Friday, March 24 as they travel to Pittsburg, Kan. for a meeting with Pittsburg State. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.