After splitting a pair of season day openers with a win over Dallas Christian and a loss to Tabor College, Rogers State baseball has blazed an eight-game winning trail.The Diamond Cats got a chance to escape the wintery confines of Oklahoma into the warmer weather of Dallas, Texas to bring in the 2011 season.
During their 6-game stint, the Cats played a competitive two-game series against Tabor College, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Tabor handed RSU their first loss of the season with a 6-2 victory.
RSU sought for revenge in their second meeting defeating Tabor 2-1. In the payback win, senior Brandt Barnes led off the top of the first inning with a single to right field and scored the first run on a two-out fielding error at third base. Sophomore Cody Campbell made it 2-0 with an RBI single left to score Randy Ramirez.
The pitching staff continued to take care of business for the Hillcats. Senior pitcher Tyler Garner tossed five scoreless innings and tallied six strikeouts.
The Diamond Cats would go on to round out the Texas trip with a 12-2 victory over Dallas Christian ending the game in five innings.
RSU head baseball coach Ron Bradley was quite impressed by his ball club’s performance to start the young season.
“I think after the first six games, it was an indication that we have a strong pitching staff,” said Bradley. “It’s something that’s going to allow us to be competitive in every game that we play.”
Back at the Hillcat Complex, RSU Baseball kept their streak alive with wins over Ottawa and Baker University.
In the 14-4 defeat over Baker, six Hillcats were perfect on offense. Junior Randy Ramirez led the way as he went 4-for-4 with one RBI.
Sophomore Colton Campbell, senior Kevin Radford and junior Lance Rymel each went 2-for-2 while senior Jairo Valdez and sophomore Frensly Martina went 1-for-1. Sophomore Keith Poverud paced the scoring production with four RBI.
Bradley’s ball club was hot off the mound in the 9-1 defeat of the final game against Baker.
Senior Jordan Clark (2-0) recorded the win as he pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits. Freshman Tyler Brown pitched two innings as he gave up one unearned run with one strikeout. Senior Matt Sample also pitched two scoreless innings and junior Zack Williams closed out the game, each fanning two batters.
Solid offense and defensive production is continuing to build a fierce RSU baseball program while allowing the Cats to be a strong competitor heading into conference play.
“As our offense continues to improve, we have a chance to have a really strong ball club,” said Bradley.
The Hillcats will travel to Edmond, Okla. Mar. 1 to face conference opponent Oklahoma Christian. Start time is set for 4 P.M.
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Photo by gssphotography.com
For RSU Baseball schedule check the Hillcat athletic website
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