Hillcats walk off Missouri Southern in first game fo MIAA Tournament

RSU Athletics 
Jake Hudspeth

EDMOND – No. 3-seed Rogers State softball (44-9) made things interesting in the opening game of the MIAA Tournament as they walked off No. 6-seed Missouri Southern (26-24) on Thursday night.

In what was an absolute pitcher’s duel from the outset, both starters refused to give up a run in the first five innings of the game. In those frames, the Hillcats and Lions scattered three hits apiece and left 11 total runners stranded on base.

The Lions looked to break through the scoreless stalemate as they got back-to-back singles with one out in the top of the sixth inning. Facing a 1-2 count with two outs, MSSU dropped a ball into right field for the first run of the game on a RBI single to go up 1-0.

After going down in order in the bottom of the sixth, Callie Yellin got this going for RSU as she got on in the bottom of the seventh with a double to right field with one out. Rylee DeLozier reached first base after working a full count walk with two outs. Facing a full count herself with two outs, Lana Gass played the hero as she doubled to right center to walk the game off by bringing in Yellin and Nicole Price, who came in to pinch run for DeLozier.

MIAA Pitcher of the Year Andrea Morales (27-3) earned the complete game win with seven strikeouts. Kara Amos (11-11) took the loss.

With the win, the Hillcats advance to face No. 7-seed Nebraska-Kearney, who knocked off No. 2-seed Central Oklahoma, tomorrow evening. First pitch is set for approximately 6:30 p.m.