CLAREMORE, Okla. - No. 17 Rogers State softball (32-11, 14-8 MIAA) swept Missouri Southern (29-15, 9-7 MIAA) in a doubleheader on Senior Day Saturday.
"I could not be more proud of this team, especially on a day like Senior Day," said head coach Andrea Vaughan. "It was a tough one today with a lot of emotions and a special group we were celebrating. For our team to grit out two wins against a rival in Missouri Southern was impressive. It wasn't necessarily pretty, but we kept finding ways to win and that's what helps prepare you for the postseason."
GAME 1 - RSU 4, MSSU 3 (9 Innings)
The first game was a high-powered pitchers' duel with two of the best pitchers in the MIAA facing off against each other. In fact, neither starter allowed a hit in the first two innings.
RSU broke the seal in the third to take a 1-0 lead. Abbey Rogers led off with a single up the middle, with Callie Yellin putting runners in scoring position as she dropped a ball in center field for a single and advanced to second on the relay throw. Bridgett Morales later drove in Rogers with a ground out to the shortstop that kicked off the pitcher's glove.
The Lions' offense came alive in the sixth as they pushed across three runs to jump in front 3-1 with a bases-loaded walk and a two-RBI single.
The Hillcats responded in the home half of the frame with two runs to knot things at 3-3. Mariah Belzer got things started as she reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. Savannah Evans beat out an infield single to third base, with she and Belzer then moving into scoring position on a wild pitch. Brooke Nauman plated Belzer with a sacrifice fly to right. A Kaylee Lyon single to right scored Evans.
With both teams coming up empty in the seventh inning, the game headed to extras.
After a scoreless eighth, Chloe Bohuslavicky earned a four-pitch, leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth. Morales moved Karlee Smith, who pinch ran for Bohuslavicky, over to second with a sacrifice bunt. A Belzer groundout to second moved Smith to third. She then walked the game off by coming home on a wild pitch.
Harley Culie (15-4) earned the complete game win, only allowing three runs on six hits with nine strikeouts. Kiki Pickens (16-5) took the loss.
GAME 2 - RSU 3, MSSU 2
In the second game of the day, it was Southern who got on the board first with a run in the first inning.
However, the Hillcats responded in the bottom half with a 2-1 lead. McKayla Carney wore a pitch with one out to put a runner on. Abbey Rogers then reached on a fielding error by the second baseman. Callie Yellin loaded the bases with a single to right. Chloe Bohuslavicky worked a seven-pitch, bases-loaded walk that brought in Carney. Rogers then scored on a Bridgett Morales sacrifice fly to center.
RSU tacked on an insurance run in the third to go up 3-1. Yellin beat out an infield single to second base with two outs. Bohuslavicky then dropped a ball into left center for a double that drove in Yellin.
The Lions blasted a solo shot over the right-center field wall in the top of the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2.
However, both pitchers locked down the final two and a half innings as they combined to scatter five hits and leave five runners stranded.
Jade Sanders (12-6) earned the complete game win, allowing two runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Kadence Janney (2-3) took the loss.
The Hillcats will go back on the road on Monday, April 14 as they travel to Searcy, Ark. to face off against Harding in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
