EMPORIA, Kan. — No. 18 Rogers State (16-8, 0-2 MIAA) faced a setback against Emporia State (15-6, 2-0 MIAA), suffering two defeats to open MIAA play with final scores of 3–1 and 10-4 on Friday at Trusler Sports Complex.

GAME ONE RSU 1, ESU 3 (8 INNINGS)
In the first game, the Hillcats fell to the Hornets 3–1 in a closely contested matchup. The Hillcats managed six hits but were unable to convert their offensive efforts into more than a single run, which came in the eighth inning. Karlee Smith broke the stalemate by scoring on a single by Chloe Cardona, giving RSU a brief edge. However, the Hornets responded with a walk-off three-run home run by Avery Brewer, sealing the win for Emporia State in the eighth.

Senior Harley Culie (8-4) delivered a strong performance despite the loss, pitching 7.2 innings, allowing only four hits and striking out four batters while walking three. Though she conceded three runs, she maintained control with a WHIP of 0.97 over 141 pitches, 81 of which were strikes. 

Cardona contributed offensively with an RBI single, Jaden Jordan recorded two hits and maintained a 1.333 OPS, while Smith added a hit and scored a run.

GAME TWO: RSU 4, ESU 10
In the second game, the Hillcats faced a challenging start, falling to the Hornets 10-4. Despite a promising beginning in which RSU scored two runs on a two-RBI single from Mariah Belzer in the first inning, the Hornets responded with a six-run bottom of the inning, highlighted by Brooke Flewelling's three-run homer. By the end of the first inning, Emporia State led 6-2.

The Hillcats threatened again in the second inning, but failed to capitalize on a scoring opportunity, allowing the Hornets to extend their lead to 7-2. Emporia State continued to find an offensive rhythm, adding two more runs in the fourth inning, making it 9-2. 

Jordan provided a highlight for RSU with her third home run of the season in the fifth inning, narrowing the gap to 9-3. The Hornets answered with another run in the sixth, bringing the score to 10-3. In the final inning, Jordan doubled to right center, and pinch-runner Raelle Gorman scored on a single by Taelynn Ballinger, but the game concluded with a final score of 10-4 in favor of ESU.

Freshman Kinsley Hill (5-1) started the second game for RSU but faced difficulties early, allowing four runs (three earned) in her first losing decision of the season. Erica Ross, and for the first time this season, Raylin Morgan, also appeared in the circle.  

At the plate, Jordan stood out with two hits, including a home run and a double. Belzer added two hits and two RBIs.

UP NEXT 
The Hillcats will return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Washburn Ichabods at noon and 2 p.m. at Gahnstrom Field in Topeka, Kansas.