CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 8 Rogers State softball (8-3) took care of business in an 11-1 win over Rockhurst to close out the Raising Cane's Invitational on Monday.
 
The Hillcats wasted little time getting on the board as Abbey Rogers launched a solo shot in the third at bat of the game for an early 1-0 lead.
 
After a scoreless second inning, RSU added three more runs in the third to go up 4-0. With one out, McKayla Carney got on with a double to left. Rogers then traded places with her, hitting a double to center. Callie Yellin got in on the home run fun with a two-run blast to left.
 
The Hawks got a run back in the home half of the frame to cut the deficit to 4-1. A single to right scored the run from third.
 
The Hillcats responded by tacking on three more runs in the fourth to push out to a 7-1 advantage. Mariah Belzer led off the inning with a double to right center. Chloe Bohuslavicky later drove her in as she reached on a fielder's choice. Melaina Heaton, who reentered the game for Bohuslavicky came in on a Carney sacrifice fly to left. Rogers capped off the frame by scoring Kaylee Lyon with a single to center.
 
RSU put the game away with a four-run top of the fifth to seal the 11-1 win. Belzer scored from first on an error by the left fielder. Lyon then unloaded on a 0-1 pitch, sending it soaring over the center field wall to score Heaton and Halle Hance.
 
Torrie Sandoval (3-1) earned the win with a 3.1 inning start, only allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts. Jade Sanders was also excellent in relief, scattering one hit over the final 1.2 shutout innings with two strikeouts. Madeline McCall (0-1) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 28 as they travel to Kansas City, Mo. to play in the Top Gun Midwest College Classic where they will face off against Maryville and Minnesota State on the first day. The game against Maryville is set to start at 4 p.m. with the game against Minnesota State set for 6:30 p.m.