RSU Athletics
Benjamin Dishong, Sports Information Director
CLAREMORE – The Rogers State baseball team picked up a doubleheader sweep of St. Mary’s Friday afternoon to open the three-game series, confirming a series victory for the Hillcats as they defeated the Rattlers 6-1 and 7-1 at the Diamond Sports Complex.
The Hillcats (21-10, 6-2 Heartland) received dominant pitching performances from Corey Murphy and Jackson Simonsgaard as RSU allowed just 10 combined hits in the two games. Rogers State also jumped on the visitors early, taking leads they would not relinquish in the bottom of the first.
In game one, Bradshaw started off a three-hit game with an RBI single in the bottom of the first to scoreChristian Merriwether. In the second inning, Blake Chiaramonte tripled to left, scoring Brendan Griffith as the Hillcats went up 2-0.
Rogers State would add two more runs in the second as Chiaramonte scored when Merriwether reached on an error. Grant Farris then batted home Christopher Ford.
With the bases loaded in the third, Griffith scored on a wild pitch and then Merriwether singled home Chiaramonte to cap the scoring for the Hillcats.
The visitors would pick up their only run in the sixth, a small blemish on a complete game victory for Murphy, who scattered six hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
In game two, Farris started a four-hit day with a double down the left field line, scoring Merriwether. Farris would then score later in the inning on a wild pitch.
St. Mary’s (22-14, 3-5 Heartland) would score their only run in the third inning, cutting the Hillcat lead in half, but Rogers State would answer back with four runs in the fifth.
Farris started the big inning with another double, as Mann came around to score. Farris would move to third on the play and then scored on a double from Nick Follett.
Griffith then capped the scoring in the inning with a triple down the right field line as Follett and Griffin Keller scored to put the Hillcats ahead 6-1.
In the sixth inning, Farris picked up his third RBI double of the game with a hit to left field, scoring Merriwether for the final run.
Simonsgaard tossed seven innings in the win, scattering four hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts.
Sean Robinson tossed a perfect final two innings, recording one strikeout.
The Hillcats will host St Mary’s on Saturday to wrap up the series. First pitch is scheduled for noon at the Diamond Sports Complex.