EDMOND, Okla. - Rogers State softball (39-14) bounced back after dropping the first game of the day to Central Oklahoma (48-8) and took down Minnesota State (39-20) to advance to the Central Regional Championship on Friday.

"We knew we were going to have to play really well against a great Minnesota State team that is well-coached after dropping the first game today," said head coach Andrea Vaughan. "We showed up prepared. We were fighting for our lives, and I'm just happy we played great softball and came out with a win."

GAME 1 - UCO 9, RSU 2

In the first game of the day, Central Oklahoma wasted no time jumping on the board as they loaded the bases with two outs and took advantage with a grand slam for an early 4-0 lead.

The Hillcats responded in the second as they got a run back to cut things to 4-1. Callie Yellin blasted a full count moonshot over the center field wall to break up the shutout.

They added another run in the fourth as Chloe Bohuslavicky laced a ball through the left side of the infield for a one-out single, and was pinch run for by Halle Hance. Later in the inning, Savannah Evans dropped a ball into right center for an RBI double that scored Hance.

UCO extended its lead back out to 5-2 in the fifth with a sacrifice fly. They tacked on two more runs in the sixth off an RBI fielder's choice and another sacrifice fly.

The Bronchos put the game on ice in the seventh as they scored two final runs to secure the 9-2 win with an RBI, sacrifice fielder's choice and an RBI single.

Terin Ritz (20-3) earned the win. Harley Culie (18-6) took the loss. 

GAME 2 - RSU 4, MSU 1

The second game seemed to be a pitchers' duel as neither starter allowed a run in the first three innings. In that span, they combined to scatter five hits with six runners left stranded.

RSU broke the seal in the fourth inning as Chloe Bohuslavicky worked a full count, before sending a pitch screaming over the left center field wall for a leadoff, solo shot. After Mariah Belzer earned a four-pitch walk, Brooke Nauman got in on the home run fun with a two-run blast to right for the 3-0 lead.

The Mavericks got a run back in the fifth to cut the deficit to 3-1 with an RBI single to first. 

However, the Hillcats snuffed out the comeback as they pushed across one final run to secure the 4-1 win. Karlee Smith drove in Belzer with an RBI double down the left field line.

Jade Sanders (16-7) earned the complete game win after allowing one run on six hits with four strikeouts. Maddie Oetzmann (6-8) took the loss.

With the win, RSU earned a rematch with the rival Bronchos in the Central Region Championship tomorrow, where they will have to win twice to advance to the Super Regional round. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.