CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 12 Rogers State softball (13-4) opened the week with a midweek non-conference doubleheader sweep over the Missouri S&T Miners (10-8) at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. RSU claimed game one, 4-0, and game two, 4-3, on Wednesday.
 
Senior Harley Culie (6-2, 2) was lights out in the circle for the Hillcats, finishing with eight strikeouts in 8.0 innings to claim her sixth win of the season in game one, and second save of the season in game two.
 
Junior Jaden Jordan was a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with a double in game two. Mariah Belzer also shone with a trio of hits, including a double, two RBIs and a run.
 
GAME ONE: RSU 4, MST 0
In the first inning, Belzer opened the scoring for the Hillcats with an RBI single, bringing home Chloe Cardona. In the second inning, Cardona added a two-RBI single, driving in Halle Bucktrot and Taelynn Ballinger, who was pinch running for Jordan, to extend the Hillcats' lead to three runs.
 
The Hillcats added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Bucktrot hit an RBI single that scored Raelle Gorman. Culie sealed the game in the seventh with a complete game performance, leading RSU to a 4-0 shutout victory. Culie (6-2) made her eighth start of the season and finished with seven strikeouts while walking three.
 
At the plate, RSU recorded six hits. Cardona and Jordan each contributed two hits, with Cardona leading the team with two RBIs. Belzer and Bucktrot each added an RBI to the tally.
 
GAME TWO: RSU 4, MST 3
The Miners responded strongly from the shutout in Game 1 with a two-run shot from Taylor Nelson. However, their lead was short-lived, as the Hillcats struck with two runs in the second inning, including an RBI from Gorman and an RBI single from Rylee Bush, leveling the game at 2-2.
 
In the third inning, Saylor Brown doubled down the line to drive home Baylee King, giving RSU its first lead. They later added an RBI double from Belzer, extending their advantage to 4-2.
 
Missouri S&T's last run came in the fourth inning with an RBI groundout. With two outs in the top of the seventh, the Miners had an RBI double erased after a video review showed the runner on first left early, as the Hillcats held on for a 4-3 victory to secure the doubleheader sweep.
 
Freshman Kinsley Hill received a no-decision in her eighth start of the season. Erica Ross (2-1) pitched a strong 4.2 innings, recording one strikeout and two walks. Culie (2) returned for Game 2, finishing with a strikeout in the final innings to pick up her second save of the season.
 
At the plate, the Hillcats tallied nine hits. Belzer, Brown, Bush, and Jordan each contributed two hits, with Belzer, Brown, and Jordan all recording extra-base hits, each with a double.
 
UP NEXT
The Hillcats are set to play three games on Saturday, February 28, at the Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee, Kansas. The schedule features matchups against Augustana (S.D.) at 10 a.m., Maryville (Mo.) at 12:15 p.m. and Truman State (Mo.) at 5 p.m.