CLAREMORE, Okla. — Hillcat softball (22-10, 6-4 MIAA) secured its first-ever regular season sweep over No. 16 Central Oklahoma (25-7, 3-3 MIAA) on a windy Friday afternoon.

RSU claimed a 2-1 victory in game one and followed it up with a 4-0 shutout in game two over UCO at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. The only other time the Hillcats swept the Bronchos was in 2022 during the NCAA Tournament Super Regional in Claremore. Those wins secured RSU's spot in the NCAA World Series, where they went on to win the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship in Denver, Colorado. 

GAME 1: RSU 2, UCO 1
In the first game, Harley Culie (11-6) made her 100th career appearance in the circle for the Red and Navy, moving into second all-time in appearances after passing Laura Fleck (99). The senior from Peggs, Oklahoma, pitched a complete game, allowing just one earned run on five hits.

Rogers State opened the scoring in the first inning when Chloe Cardona walked and later scored on a single up the middle by Jaden Jordan, giving the Hillcats a 1-0 lead. 

Central Oklahoma tied the game in the second inning; Jenna Jobe singled to start the inning and scored on a double to left field by Brooklyn Lyles, making it 1-1. 

In the sixth inning, RSU regained the lead when Jordan reached first on a throwing error, advanced to third after a single by Rylee Bush, and scored on a bases-loaded walk to Karlee Smith, putting the Hillcats ahead 2-1.

The Hillcats held the Bronchos scoreless in the seventh inning to secure the victory.

Jordan led the offense with two hits, including a double and drove in one run while scoring once. Halle Bucktrot contributed defensively with five assists from third base and Cardona reached base with a walk and scored a run.

GAME 2: RSU 4, UCO 0
In game two, Kinsley Hill (8-1) led the pitching effort with her third straight complete game shutout, allowing just one hit while striking out three over seven innings. 

RSU secured a 4-0 victory with key plays in the fifth and sixth innings. 

In the fifth, Saylor Brown singled, and Aaliyah Gaboriault entered as a pinch runner, advancing to third on a throwing error. Bucktrot's sacrifice fly allowed Gaboriault to score, and Baylee King followed with a double to bring in Karlee Smith, who had reached on an error during a sacrifice bunt attempt, concluding the inning with RSU leading 2-0. 

The sixth inning saw further success for the Hillcats, as Jordan walked and was replaced by pinch runner Ava Ramos, who scored alongside Rylee Bush on Bucktrot's single to center field, extending the lead to 4-0 that held until the final out.

At the plate, Bucktrot drove in three runs, including two on a single with the bases loaded, while King contributed a double and an RBI. 

UP NEXT 
Rogers State will return to action tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against the Newman Jets beginning at noon.