SHAWNEE, Okla. – No. 8 Rogers State softball (7-3) rolled to a 10-3 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State (5-6) in the Raising Canes Invitational on Friday.
 
"I'm really proud of our approaches at the plate and the way we are swinging it right now," said head coach Andrea Vaughan. "Playing in cold temperatures and high winds is extremely tough, but we battled hard in the circle and played solid all around."
 
Southeastern got on the board first with an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. A double to left center scored the run.
 
The Hillcats answered in the third with three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Karlee Smith led things off with a walk and then scored on a Kaylee Lyon double down the left field line. Later, Abbey Rogers drove in Lyon with a single to left. McKayla Carney crossed home on a Bridgett Morales RBI groundout to first.
 
The Savage Storm got a run back in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2, thanks to a double to right center that scored a run from first.
 
RSU responded with two more runs in the top of the fifth to go back up 5-2. Carney led off the frame with a single to short. Rogers brought her in with a triple to right field. Morales plated Rogers with a single to right center.
 
They exploded for five runs in the sixth to break the game open with a 10-2 advantage. A leadoff, solo home run from Savannah Evans got things started. Lyon later scored on a sacrifice fly from Morales. Both Rogers and Carney came in on a Saylor Brown single to right. Halle Hance capped off the inning as she drove in Mariah Belzer with a double to left.
 
A fielding error by the pitcher in the bottom half of the frame gave Southeastern one last run but set the final score at 10-3.
 
Harley Culie (3-0) earned the win, working the final 4.1 innings only allowing one earned run on five hits with two strikeouts. Jade Sanders was also solid in her 2.2-inning start, only allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts. Emily Simmons (3-2) took the loss.
 
RSU will close out the Raising Canes Invitational on Monday, Feb. 17 as they travel to Edmond, Okla. to face off against Rockhurst. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.