CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 3 Rogers State softball (18-4, 2-0 MIAA) swept the MIAA opening doubleheader against rival Northeastern State (5-13, 0-2 MIAA) on Saturday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 2, NSU 0
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Hillcats jumped on the board with two runs to take a 2-0 lead. Facing a 0-2 count to lead off the frame, Callie Yellin unloaded on a pitch and sent it flying over the center field wall for the game's first run. Later, Chelsea Spain drove in Abbey Rogers with a single to center.
 
From there, the game devolved into a pitchers' duel with neither starter allowing a run in the remaining five innings. Sara Llamas-Howell limited the RiverHawks to only one hit in that span and only allowed three runners to reach. NSU's Madison Heinle scattered four RSU hits.
 
Llamas-Howell (8-2) earned the complete game win, striking out nine. Heinle (5-6) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 2, NSU 0
 
The second game of the day looked to be more of the same with neither starter allowing a hit in the first two innings.
 
The Hillcats finally broke through in the third inning to jump in front 2-0. McKayla Carney broke the ice as he brought in Chelsea Spain with a sacrifice fly to center. Paxton Donaldson later scored from third on a passed ball.
 
Reining MIAA Pitcher of the Week Jade Sanders was electric in the circle as she worked a no-hitter through five innings. NSU's Korynn Tindel likewise didn't allow an RSU hit until the bottom of the fifth.
 
Sanders (7-2) earned the win, only allowing one hit over 6.0 innings with six strikeouts. Harley Culie (2) earned her second save of the season as she came in to slam the door in the seventh, striking out all three batters she faced. Tindel (0-4) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will begin a four-game road trip on Friday, March 15 as they travel to Topeka, Kan. to face off against Washburn. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m.