PIEDMONT, Okla. – No. 8 Rogers State softball took care of business on the first day of the Raising Canes Invitational with wins over Southeastern Oklahoma State and Southwestern Oklahoma State on Friday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 9, SEOSU 1 (5 Innings)
 
In the first game of the day, the Savage Storm got on the board first with a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The run scored from second on a double to left center.
 
The Hillcats exploded for five runs in the top of the third to jump in front 5-1. Kaylee Lyon brought in McKayla Carney with a single to right for the first run. Chelsea Spain then plated both Bridgett Morales and Callie Yellin with a single to right. Paxton Donaldson capped off the scoring by clearing the bases with a two RBI triple that brought in both Lyon and Spain.
 
They added to their lead in the fourth inning with four more runs sealing the 9-1 victory. After a leadoff hit by pitch, a double to left center and a full count walk loaded the bases, Yellin sent a 1-0 pitch soaring over the left field fence for a grand slam that pushed across Carney, Lana Gass and Abbey Rogers.
 
Sara Llama-Howell (4-1) earned the win throwing a 4.0 inning start and scattering three hits with no earned runs, three strikeouts and only one walk. Harley Culie locked down the final inning, working a perfect outing in relief. Emily Simmons (0-4) suffered the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 2, SWOSU 1
 
The second game was the complete opposite of the first as it was a classic pitchers' duel that saw neither starter allow a run in the first four innings. In that span, RSU managed to scatter two hits and leave four runners stranded, while the Bulldogs also scattered two hits with only one runner left stranded.
 
The Hillcats broke the stalemate in the bottom of the fifth with a 1-0 lead. Lana Gass drove in Kaylee Lyon with a single to right.
 
SWOSU made things interesting in the top of the seventh tying the game at 1-1. The run scored from second on single up the middle.
 
In the bottom half of the frame, Lyon led off with a double down the left field line on a 2-2 pitch. With one out, Chelsea Spain barreled up the first pitch she saw to walk the game off with a single to right field with Lyon scoring from second on a fielding error by the second baseman.
 
Harley Culie (2-0) earned the complete game win, going the distance as she scattered seven hits with only one earned run and six strikeouts. Blaire Gentry (2-4) suffered the loss.
 
RSU is back in action tomorrow as they take on Ouachita Baptist and Oklahoma Baptist on the second day of the tournament. First pitch against the Tigers is set for 10:30 a.m. followed by the game against the Bison at 1 p.m.