No. 1 Rogers State softball (14-1) started the Spring Games off with two wins over California (Pa.) and Bridgeport on Thursday.
GAME 1 – RSU 1, Cal U 0
The first game of the day was a classic pitcher’s duel as both starters only allowed a combined two hits and stranded four runners in the first three innings.
The Hillcats finally broke the stalemate in the top of the fourth inning to go up 1-0. Bridgett Morales got things started as she earned a full count walk with one out, and was pinch run for by Natalie Gonzalez. Jaylan Gibson drove her in with a double to left field.
After that, the two pitchers went back to work and scattered five hits over the final three and half innings. The Vulcans never got a runner past first base in the game.
Sara Llamas-Howell (6-0) was electric as she earned the complete game shutout only allowing one hit with a season-high 12 strikeouts and only one walk. Caleigh Rister (2-1) suffered her first loss of the season.
GAME 2 – RSU 9, UB 0
The second game looked to be a repeat of the first with both starters working a scoreless frame to open the game.
However, RSU struck for four runs in the bottom of the second to go up 4-0. Abbey Rogers led off with a 3-1 walk, and was pinch run for by Marissa Smith. Jaylan Gibson sacrifice bunted her over to second, with Smith then advancing to third on a passed ball. Callie Yellin brought her in with a double to center. Yellin then scored as Paxton Donaldson reached on an error by the first baseman. Donaldson then stole second. Chelsea Spain plated her with a RBI single to right, and then stole second herself. Nicole Price singled down the left field line to bring in Spain for the inning’s final run.
The Hillcats tacked on three more runs in the third inning to push out to 7-0. Bridgett Morales led off with a double to left, with Natalie Gonzalez pinch running for her. Jaylan Gibson scored Gonzalez on a RBI single to left and then advanced to second on the throw. Yellin plated Gibson with a single to center. Bobbi Leitha doubled to left with two outs to bring home Yellin.
RSU expanded their lead to 9-0 with two final runs in the fourth. MaKayla Jackson went yard on a 1-1 pitch for a solo blast to lead off the frame. Morales earned a full count walk. Gibson then singled to center with Morales scoring on an error by the center fielder.
Harley Culie (4-1) was excellent in the circle, working 4.0 shutout innings and only allowing one hit with four strikeouts and a walk. Jade Sanders also pitched well out of the bullpen coming in for the final inning without allowing a hit with a strikeout and a walk. Erin Lifrieri (1-3) took the loss.
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