TOPEKA, Kan. – No. 3-seed Rogers State softball (43-12) fell to No. 1-seed Central Oklahoma (46-6) and couldn't complete the comeback against No. 3-seed Missouri Southern (40-12) to end their run in the MIAA Tournament on Saturday.
 
GAME 1 – UCO 9, RSU 5
 
In the first game of the day, the Hillcats jumped on the board with an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. After Paxton Donaldson led off the game with a 3-1 walk, Bridgett Morales drove her in with a screaming double down the right field line.
 
The Bronchos responded in the home half of the frame to tie things at 1-1. A bases loaded, RBI groundout to the second baseman brought in the run from third.
 
The Hillcats exploded for four runs to go back up 5-1. A one out laser over the left field wall by Lana Gass got the scoring started. Makayla Jackson later followed suit with a two-run blast to right center, scoring Jaylan Gibson and Donaldson.
 
UCO got a run back in the bottom half to cut the deficit to 5-2 with a solo shot of their own to left.
 
In the bottom of the third, the Bronchos forced their own big inning after pushing across four runs to take the lead 6-5. Back-to-back solo homers to right center scored the first two runs with a two RBI triple to right center plating the other two runs.
 
After two scoreless frames, UCO added three final runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the 9-5 win. A solo homer and two-run blast accounted for the runs.
 
Terin Ritz (20-1) earned the win. Kaci Phelps (0-1) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – MSSU 4, RSU 3
 
The second game of the day looked to be a pitcher's duel as neither starter allowed a run in the first two innings, scattering a combined one hit.
 
The Lions broke the stalemate in the home half of the third as they took a 1-0 lead. A throwing error by the shortstop allowed the runner from second to score.
 
MSSU expanded their lead in the fourth out to 4-0 with three more runs. A leadoff inside the park home run got things started. A bases loaded walk and a RBI fielder's choice scored the other two runs.
 
The Hillcats finally got on the board in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit to 4-1. Paxton Donaldson laced a single through the right side of the infield to score Jaylan Gibson from second.
 
RSU continued to mount a comeback in the sixth as they added two more runs to trim the lead to 4-3 thanks to a two-run homer by Callie Yellin to right, scoring Natalie Gonzalez.
 
Unfortunately, the comeback was not to be as both teams went quietly in the seventh.
 
Avery Tallman (20-2) earned the win, Natalie Bates (2) earned the save. Jade Sanders (17-6) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will wait to find out their destination in the NCAA Division II Central Regional as the bracket is announced on Monday at 9 a.m. RSU will host a watch party on campus in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center.