CLAREMORE, Okla. - No. 6 Roger State softball (17-4, 3-1 MIAA) closed out the opening weekend of MIAA play with a doubleheader split with Washburn (17-8, 2-2 MIAA), playing 18 innings on Saturday.
 
GAME 1 – RSU 5, WU 0
 
The first game of the day began a trend of pitchers' duels with three scoreless frames to start.
 
In the bottom of the third, the Hillcats got all of their runs with a Chloe Bohuslavicky bases-loaded walk that scored McKayla Carney and a Callie Yellin grand slam to straightaway center, bringing in Bohuslavicky, Bridgett Morales and Abbey Rogers for a 5-0 lead.
 
The two pitching staffs threw a scoreless final four innings, combining to scatter one hit and leave four runners stranded.
 
Jade Sanders (6-2) earned the complete game shutout as she scattered three hits with five strikeouts. Sadie Walker (8-3) took the loss.
 
GAME 2 – WU 4, RSU 2 (11 innings)
 
The second game took the trend of dominant pitching to the extreme as both pitching staffs refused to allow a run in the first seven innings. The three pitchers combined to scatter 11 hits and leave 17 runners stranded in that span.
 
Washburn broke through first in the top of the eight with a 2-0 lead. A two RBI double to right brought in the game's first runs.
 
The Hillcats responded in the home half of the frame as Mariah Belzer laced a single up the middle with one out. Saylor Brown drove her in with a double down the left field line. Kaylee Lyon later scored Karlee Smith with a double up the middle to knot things back at 2-2.
 
After a scoreless ninth and 10th inning, the Ichabods were able to scratch across two more runs thanks to a two RBI triple to the right field corner. Unfortunately, RSU could not find an answer in the bottom half and fell 4-2.
 
Jenna Sprague (3-2) earned the win. Harley Culie (7-1) took her first loss of the season despite going the distance and striking out a career-high 15 batters on 222 pitches.
 
The Hillcats are back in action on Friday, March 14 as they take their first MIAA road trip to Maryville, Mo. and face off against Northwest Missouri. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m.