SHAWNEE, Kan. — No. 12 Rogers State University (14-5) finished 2-1 on Saturday at the Top Gun Midwest College Classic. 

GAME 1: RSU 12, AUGIE 10 (8 INNINGS)
In their first matchup, RSU (14-4) secured a thrilling 12-10 victory over Augustana University (S.D.) (3-7) at Mid-America Sports Complex. The Hillcats capitalized on a seven-run sixth inning, overcoming a six-run fourth inning by the Vikings to clinch the extra-inning win. Augustana took an early lead in the top of the first with a run scored on a fielding error and extended it with a solo home run by Augie in the second, making it 2-0. 

RSU responded in the bottom of the third with Raylin Morgan hitting a three-run homer, giving the Hillcats a 3-2 lead. However, the Vikings answered back in the fourth with a six-run outburst, including a three-run homer of their own, pushing the score to 8-3. Augustana added two more runs in the fifth, leading 10-3.

The Hillcats mounted a significant comeback in the sixth inning, highlighted by Morgan's grand slam, tying the score at 10-10. After a scoreless seventh, Mariah Belzer's two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth secured the 12-10 victory for RSU. 

Harlie Culie pitched 5.2 innings, allowing seven earned runs on ten hits while striking out eight.  The senior collected her 300th career strikeout after re-entering in the seventh.

Morgan led the offense with three runs, two hits, and seven RBIs, including two homers. Belzer and Baylee King also contributed significantly, scoring two runs and drawing four walks, respectively.

GAME 2: RSU 7, MU 5
In their second game, RSU (15-4) triumphed over Maryville (MO) (7-8) with a 7-5 victory, capitalizing on a powerful six-run fourth inning. The Hillcats started strong, with King scoring first from an RBI single from Morgan, but the Saints responded with a two-run homer.

The fourth inning was a turning point for RSU, as Jaden Jordan hit a two-run homer that sparked a six-run rally, ending the inning with a lead of 7-2. The Saints attempted a comeback in the sixth, scoring three runs, but RSU maintained their lead, ultimately winning 7-5. 

Kinsley Hill started on the mound, allowing two earned runs over two innings, while Selena Zuniga (1-1) and Erica Ross held the Saints scoreless in relief. Culie was the closer for the Cats, collecting two strikeouts in the final inning to secure her third save of the season.

Morgan shined offensively with four hits and a double, while Jordan had three hits, including a home run.

GAME3: RSU 3, TSU 5
The Hillcats fell short in their third game, losing 5-3 to Truman State (6-14) at Mid-America West. 

Truman took an early lead in the second inning, scoring two runs on a throwing error and a single, then extended their lead to 5-0 after the third inning.

RSU fought back in the fourth, with Jordan driving in two runs, narrowing the gap to 5-2. In the seventh, Rylee Bush's double brought the score to 5-3, but the Hillcats couldn't complete the comeback. 

Culie pitched a complete game, striking out eight over six innings, allowing two earned runs.

UP NEXT
The Hillcats will return to action at the RCB Bank Sports Complex with a doubleheader against Texas Woman's on March 10 at 2 and 4 p.m.