CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 6 Rogers State softball (16-3, 2-0 MIAA) opened up the MIAA portion of the schedule with a pair of hard-fought, 3-2 wins for the doubleheader sweep of Emporia State (14-9, 0-2 MIAA) on Friday.
 
"I was really pleased with our approach at the plate and staying calm under pressure, and it definitely paid off today," said head coach Andrea Vaughan. "What a clutch performance by Bridgett in the first game. One of the things I love about her is she doesn't get rattled or phased in big moments."
 
 GAME 1 – RSU 3, ESU 2 (9 Innings)
 
The Hornets jumped on the board early with a 2-0 lead after the first inning. A sacrifice fly to right scored the game's first run with an RBI single up the middle bringing in the second run.
 
RSU got a run back in the bottom of the second as Chloe Bohuslavicky launched a 2-1 pitch well over the right field wall to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
From there, the game turned into a classic pitchers' duel with the two starters combining to scatter three hits over the next three and half innings with two runners left stranded.
 
In the home half of the sixth, Kaylee Lyon was able to work the count full before unloading on the seventh pitch of the at-bat and sending it flying over the center field wall to tie the game at 2-2.
 
Over the next two innings, both pitchers refused to allow a hit and left only one runner stranded.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Bridgett Morales stepped to plate and walked the game off with a solo shot to right for the 3-2 win. This marked the third-straight season Morales has homered to defeat the Hornets in extra innings in at least one game of the series.
 
Jade Sanders (5-2) was electric in the circle, earning the complete game win after only allowing two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts over 9.0 innings. Gracie Rabe (5-6) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – RSU 3, ESU 2
 
In a repeat of the first game, ESU took control with a 1-0 lead in the first inning again, this time with a sacrifice fly to center.
 
The Hillcats answered back with two runs in the third to go up 2-1. After Saylor Brown and Karlee Smith led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch and a bunt single, Abbey Rogers drove them in with a single up the middle.
 
The Hornets got a run back in the fourth to knot things at 2-2 with a RBI single to left.
 
In the home half of the third, RSU pushed across another run to retake the advantage 3-2. Callie Yellin led off the frame, lacing a ball down the right field line for a triple. Savannah Evans followed that up with a single down the left field line to plate Yellin.
 
The pitchers took over in the final three innings as they combined to scatter four hits and leave two runners stranded.
 
Harley Culie (7-0) earned the complete game win, only allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in her 7.0 inning performance.
 
RSU will be back in action tomorrow as they welcome Washburn into the friendly confines of the RCB Bank Sports Complex. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 12 p.m.