GULF SHORES, Ala. – No. 9 Rogers State softball (1-2) split a doubleheader against Nova Southeastern (2-1) and Montevallo (1-1) in the Gulf Shores Invitational on Saturday.
 
"I'm very proud of how this team responded in the last game against Montevallo," said Head Coach Andrea Vaughan. "This invitational is packed with top 25 teams, and I knew coming in we would be tested. We have a lot of new pieces that we're trying to fit together, and it's important early on to give opportunities to multiple players to see which combinations will prove successful. This 2025 team is very talented, and I am confident this early test will pay off big dividends down the road."
 
GAME 1 – NSU 5, RSU 1
 
The first game of the day looked like it might be a repeat of the season opener as the Sharks put up four runs in the first two innings. Thankfully, things settled down with a clean third inning.
 
NSU added a run in the fourth to push out to a 5-0 lead as a run scored from second on a throwing error by the pitcher. However, the Hillcat defense locked down over the final two frames and only allowed one hit over that span, leaving the batter stranded.
 
RSU's offense came alive in the seventh inning as Halle Hance led off the inning with a double to right. A groundout to short moved her to second and McKayla Carney brought her in with a scorching single through the left side of the infield to cut the deficit to 5-1. Unfortunately, that is where the comeback would end with two quick outs ending the game.
 
Cassidy Dusk (1-0) earned the decision. Tori Sandoval (0-1) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 7, UM 1
 
The second was a complete reversal as it was the Hillcats who jumped on the board first with a four-run first inning. Kylee Lyon was hit by the first pitch of the game to leadoff with back-to-back walks of McKayla Carney and Abbey Rogers loading the bases. Bridgett Morales laced a ball into right field to break the seal and score Lyon. Callie Yellin then brought in Carney with a sacrifice fly to left. Rogers later crossed home on a RBI groundout to second by Saylor Brown. Morales capped off the frame scoring on a fielding error by the second baseman.
 
After three scoreless innings, RSU added a run in the fifth to go up 5-0 as Mattie Richardson stole home on a double steal.
 
The Hillcats went on to add two more runs in the sixth to extend the lead to 6-0 thanks to a Yellin double to center that scored Lyon and Carney.
 
The Falcons were able to push across one run in the seventh to seal the final score at 7-1 with a sacrifice fly to right.
 
Jade Sanders (1-1) earned her first win of the season going 5.0 scoreless innings and scattering three hits with three strikeouts. Harley Culie was also solid in the final two frames, only allowing the lone run on one hit. Mya Young (0-1) suffered the loss.
 
RSU will look to close out the tournament on a positive note with three games tomorrow against Barry, Saint Leo and Valdosta State. The games are set for 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m.