CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 8 Rogers State softball (28-6, 7-4) took care of business with a doubleheader sweep of Missouri Western (25-11, 7-6 MIAA) on Friday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 8, MWSU 0 (6 innings)
 
The Hillcats wasted no time as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead to start the first inning. Paxton Donaldson led off the frame with a single to third after a 10-pitch at-bat, and then proceed to steal second. Nicole Price followed that up with a full count walk. With two outs, Callie Yellin belted a double off the center field wall that scored both Donaldson and Price. She then scored on a fielding error by the center fielder.
 
After two scoreless innings, RSU again exploded for four runs to push put to a 7-0 lead in the fourth. Gibson started things off as she reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. Ashtyn Barrett then singled to left field and was pinch run for by Marissa Smith. Lana Gass moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt to first. Chelsea Spain brought in Gibson with a single to right. Donaldson then plated Smith as she grounded out to the second baseman. Price scored Spain with a single to left.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Donaldson reached first with one out after working a 3-1 walk. Makayla Jackson followed suit with her own 3-1 walk and was replaced on the bags by a re-entering Price. Bridgett Morales walked the game off by poking a ball through the right of the infield that scored Donaldson.
 
Sara Llamas-Howell (14-1) earned the complete game shutout victory scattering two hits with four strikeouts. Harley Pruetting (13-4) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 5, MWSU 1
 
The second game began much like the first with the Hillcats sprinting out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Nicole Price got on with a single to third with one out. Bridgett Morales put runners in scoring position with a single through the right side of the infield as she reached second on the throw. Abbey Rogers brought in Price with a ground out to the third baseman, with Morales scoring on a throwing error by the first baseman.
 
The game devolved into a pitcher's duel from there with neither starter allowing a run over the next four innings, scattering three hits.
 
The Griffons finally got on the board in the sixth inning as they cut the deficit to one run at 2-1 with a solo blast to straight away center on a 1-0 pitch.
 
RSU responded by putting up three runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the 5-1 win. Rogers worked a nine-pitch walk with one out and was pinch run for by Bobbi Leitha. Callie Yellin then deposited a first pitch moon shot over the center field wall, scoring Leitha. Marissa Smith then singled to right field followed by Lana Gass with a single to left field. Chelsea Spain plated Smith with her own single to left center.
 
Jade Sanders (10-2) earned the complete game win only allowing one run on three hits with seven strikeouts. Sam Pederson (10-4) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will close out the four-game homestand tomorrow with a doubleheader against Northwest Missouri. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.