JOPLIN, Mo. – Rogers State softball (45-14) fell 3-1 in the NCAA Central Regional Final to Southern Arkansas (44-13) on Saturday.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Muleriders jumped on the board with a 2-0 lead in the second inning. A two RBI double to right center brought in the runs.
 
SAU would add another run in the third to go up 3-0. A bases loaded walk accounted for the run.
 
The Hillcats cut into the deficit 3-1 in the home half of the fifth. After Chelsea Spain got a lead off single and moved to second on a grounded out to second, Lana Gass drove her in as she laced a ball up the middle.
 
RSU had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. Paxton Donaldson beat out an "excuse me" swing off the knob of her bat with two outs for an infield single. Gass put runners in scoring position with a double to right center. Unfortunately, they couldn't bring them in with the third out coming during the next at bat.
 
Sydney Ward (23-6) earned the win. Jade Sanders (18-8) took the loss.