CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 12 Rogers State softball (38-10, 21-3 MIAA) took care of business as they swept an MIAA doubleheader against Nebraska Kearney (18-29, 6-18 MIAA) on Friday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 11, UNK 1 (5 Innings)
 
The Hillcats jumped on the board with a run in the first inning to start the first game of the day. Paxton Donaldson led off the game with a first pitch single to left. A double to left by McKayla Carney put runners in scoring position. Abbey Rogers loaded the bases as she drew a 3-1 walk. Kaylee Lyon brought in Donaldson with a sacrifice fly to center.
 
They tacked on two more runs in the second to go up 3-0. Marissa Smith reached on a single through the left side of the infield and later stole second. Donaldson drove her in with a single to short. Carney returned the favor as she plated Donaldson with a double to left.
 
The Lopers got a run back in the third as a RBI single to center cut the deficit to 3-1.
 
RSU broke the game open in the fourth as they exploded for eight runs with two outs to take a commanding 11-1 lead. Lyon cleared the bases with a double to right center that allowed Donaldson and Carney to cross home. Morales then brought in Lyon with a single down the right field line. Smith later cleared the bases with a two RBI single to center with Callie Yellin, Morales scoring and Lana Gass coming in on the relay throw. Chelsea Spain doubled in Smith, sending a ball to right center. Donaldson capped off the frame with a single to right center that scored Spain.
 
Sara Llamas-Howell (19-6) earned the win, only allowing one run on one hit with four strikeouts in her 4.0 inning start. Harley Culie was also great in relief as she worked a perfect top of the fifth. Daniella Morillas (10-13) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 5, UNK 3
 
The momentum seemed to have shifted in the second game as the Lopers started the game hot with an early 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly to center.
 
UNK added another run in the top of the third to go up 2-0 thanks to another sacrifice fly to center.
 
After a little over an hour weather delay, the Hillcats took control of the game with three runs in the home half of third to jump in front 3-2. A Paxton Donaldson double to center allowed Chelsea Spain to score RSU's first run. Donaldson then came in on a throwing error by the second baseman. McKayla Carney scored on a Callie Yellin fielder's choice to short to complete the comeback.
 
They increased their lead to 5-2 with two insurance runs in the fourth. Lana Gass crossed home on a double to center by Donaldson. Abbey Rogers plated Spain with a sacrifice fly to right.
 
The Lopers added one final run in the top of the sixth to set the final score at 5-3 with a solo home run to left center.
 
Harley Culie (6-1) earned the win after allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts in 5.0 innings out of the bullpen. Lauryn Haggadone (1-1) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will close out the regular season tomorrow as they host Fort Hays State in a doubleheader on Senior Day. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.