HAYS, Kan. – No. 8 Rogers State softball (39-10, 16-8 MIAA) split a doubleheader with Fort Hays State (30-21, 12-12 MIAA) on Saturday to begin the final road trip of the regular season.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 6, FHSU 1
 
In the first game of the day, the Hillcats wasted no time as Bridgett Morales drove in Paxton Donaldson and Nicole Price for an early 2-0 lead with a double to left center.
 
RSU added another run in the second to go up 3-0 as Donaldson plated Lana Gass with a single up the middle.
 
The Tigers got on the board in the home half of the fifth to cut the deficit to 3-1 with a RBI single to center.
 
The Hillcats sealed the 6-1 win with three final runs in the top of the seventh. Ashtyn Barrett doubled home Callie Yellin for the frame's first run. Gass then returned the favor as she went yard with a two-run bomb over the left center field fence.
 
Reigning MIAA Pitcher of the Week Sara Llamas-Howell (20-2) earned the complete game win while only allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Bailey Carlson (11-8) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – FHSU 1, RSU 0
 
The second game was a classic pitcher's duel with neither starter allowing a run and scattering a combined three hits in the first three frames.
 
The Tigers scored the game's only run in the fourth inning on a RBI single to right.
 
In the final three innings, the pitching staffs combined to again scatter three combined hits.
 
The Hillcats best opportunity to score came in the top of the seventh as Nicole Price led off the inning with a single to third. Abbey Rogers then poked a ball into left to put two runners on with one out. Unfortunately, a fielder's choice and a pop up to second ended the threat.
 
Savannah Egger (13-8) earned the win. Jade Sanders (14-5) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will close out the regular season tomorrow in Kearney, Neb. as they face off against Nebraska-Kearney in the regular season finale doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.