ADA, Okla. – Rogers State baseball (13-5) took care of business in a 12-1 run-rule win over East Central (5-15) in a mid-week matchup on Tuesday.
 
The Hillcats wasted no time getting on the board with two runs in the first inning. Gavin Mestas was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. Joel Escalante moved him over to second with a sacrifice bunt. Prescott Horn brought Mestas in with a double to left, with Horn later taking third and scoring on two different wild pitches.
 
RSU exploded for five runs in the top of the second to push out to a 7-0 lead. Carson Cheatwood earned a 3-1 walk to start the frame. Ramon Torres was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Mestas was hit for the second consecutive at-bat to load the bases. Escalante plated Cheatwood as he drew a four-pitch walk. Horn blasted his second double of the day to left, bringing in Torres and Mestas. Escalante scored on a Jesse Holguin ground out to first for the first out of the inning. Jhonmy Martinez became the third hit batter in the frame, and was later thrown out trying to steal second as Horn scored from third.
 
The Hillcats tacked on three more runs in the third to extend their lead to 10-0. Conner Womack singled to right center to lead off the inning. Cheatwood moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Torres and Mestas hit back-to-back singles with one out to score Womack. They both then moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Escalante plated Torres with a groundout to second. Horn then brought in Mestas with his third hit of the day, this time a single to left.
 
RSU added two final runs in the fifth to go up 12-0. Mestas singled to left with one out. Escalante followed suit with a single to center. Holguin earned a 3-1 walk to load the bases with two outs. Martinez hit a single to left to score Mestas and Escalante.
 
The Tigers got a run back in the home half of the fifth, but the Hillcats still took the 12-1 win in seven innings. ECU's lone run came in on a RBI single to left.
 
Tyler Hankins (2-0) earned the win working 5.0 innings only allowing the one run while scattering three hits with a season-high six strikeouts. Dean Grisham and Matt Litnz were also good out of the bullpen, working the final two innings not allowing a hit with a combined three strikeouts. Cooper Hunt (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season.
 
The Hillcats will continue the road trip on Friday, March 10 with a stop in Hays, Kan. for the start of a three-game MIAA series against Fort Hays State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.