The RSU baseball team earned its first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Cameron, but lost the second game of the doubleheader, 5-3, at Hillcat Field on Saturday.
RSU starting pitcher Dusty Carriger pitched a gem in Game 1. The left-hander pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just three hits while earning his first win of 2007. Cameron starter Ryan Totte was equally effective. Totte suffered the loss despite pitching a complete game one-hitter.
Eric Bunch led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Greg Speed. Bunch advanced to third on a fly-out by Zach Bacon and scored the game’s only run on a two-out base-hit by Blake Hollingsworth.
Carriger did the rest, allowing just five base runners in six innings of work. Sophomore Tyler Whitaker retired the Aggies in order in the seventh to earn the save. The win was the first ever victory for RSU at the new Hillcat Field.
The Cameron bats came alive in Game 2. The Aggies built an early lead with two runs on four hits in the first inning. The Hillcats answered with a run in the bottom of the first as Bacon singled home Bunch. Blake Hughes and B.J. Cole laced back-to-back doubles in the fourth to extend the Cameron lead to 4-1.
RSU pulled to within one with a two-run fourth inning but would get no closer. With runners at first and second and one out in the fifth, Todd Koscheski ripped a line shot towards third. The ball was snagged by Cole at third base, who then doubled off Speed at second base to end the inning. RSU stranded two runners in the sixth and Cameron closer Ryan Bengert earned his second save in as many days by retiring the Hillcats in order in the seventh.
J.W. Koweno earned the win in relief for Cameron. Starter Bryan Hollenbeck took the loss for Rogers State. Cameron improved to 3-2 on the season. RSU is now 1-2. The Hillcats are back in action Tuesday afternoon as they welcome University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) to Hillcat Field for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.