Softball Hillcats Sweep Bacone College

Rogers State used strong pitching in Game 1 and timely hitting in Game 2 to sweep a doubleheader over Bacone College at the Hillcat Complex on Tuesday.

Freshman Kelli Dunagan (10-4) tossed a seven-inning shutout in Game 1 as RSU edged the Warriors, 3-0. Dunnagan pitched out of bases loaded jams in the first and fourth inning and struck out six batters in the contest. An RBI double by Somer Dykes in the bottom of the second gave RSU a 1-0 advantage. Freshman third baseman Taylor Whisenhunt gave the Hillcats some breathing room when she laced a two-run homer over the right field fence in the bottom of the sixth. Whisenhunt now leads the team with four long balls on the season.

The Hillcat offense jumped all over Bacone in Game 2. RSU sent 10 batters to the plate in the second inning and scored five runs on four hits, all with two outs. The final blow came off the bat of Senior Denise Garcia, who gave the Hillcats a 5-1 lead with a two-run single to center. RSU plated two more runs in the fourth as Garcia ripped another two-out, two RBI single. Garcia finished the game 3-for-4 with five RBI. The Hillcats added single runs in the fifth and sixth frames to reach the final margin, 9-4. Megan Wood also turned in a 3-for-4 performance and Bridgett Steward chipped in with two hits and an RBI.

Stephanie Eggers (7-4) picked up the win for RSU in Game 2 with four innings of solid relief. She allowed three runs, all unearned, while fanning three batters.

Coach Dawn Reed’s club improved to 17-8 with the doubleheader sweep and will journey to Alva on Wednesday for a doubleheader vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State. The next home game for the Hillcats is scheduled for April 12 vs. Oklahoma Baptist.