CLAREMORE, Okla. — Midwestern State (2-6) played a pair of close games at the Rogers State Festival on Sunday afternoon, suffering a 4-2 loss to Rogers State (6-2) before Southwestern Oklahoma State (2-6) won an eight-inning affair, 3-2, at RCB Bank Sports Complex.
In the first matchup, the Mustangs managed two runs in the fifth inning but fell short as the Hillcats secured the victory with a three-run third inning. Both teams recorded six hits during the contest.
The game opened with a scoreless first inning.
Erikha Ibarra-Subia grounded out to first, but
Stormy Daniel managed a single to center field, leaving two runners on base as the inning concluded. The Hillcats went three up, three down in their half of the inning.
In the third inning, Rogers State capitalized on a series of errors to take the lead. A fielding error allowed Jaden Jordan to reach first, setting up a scoring opportunity. Emma Young doubled, advancing runners to scoring positions. A sacrifice bunt by Halle Bucktrot brought in the first unearned run, followed by subsequent hits and a throwing error that scored two more runs, putting RSU ahead 3-0 by the end of the inning.
The Mustangs responded in the fifth inning as
Sydnie Rios singled and stole second, setting the stage for
Chipper Mayorga, who also singled.
Madison Stewart delivered a crucial two-run single, bringing Rios and Mayorga home and narrowing the deficit to 3-2.
In the sixth, the Hillcats added an insurance run. Raylin Morgan singled and advanced to third on a series of plays, eventually scoring an unearned run due to a fielding error, extending their lead to 4-2. MSU was unable to rally in the final inning, concluding the game with RSU securing the victory.
Stewart recorded two RBIs and added a stolen base, while Daniel collected a hit and executed a sacrifice hit. Mayorga posted one hit and scored a run. In the circle,
Shyanne Florence pitched a complete game, striking out five batters over six innings without allowing an earned run. Despite conceding four runs, all were unearned, showcasing her ability to manage the game effectively while maintaining control.
In the second game against Southwestern Oklahoma State, the Mustangs scored in the first two innings but were held scoreless for the remainder of the game/ Ibarra-Subia and Daniel each contributed for early runs.
Midwestern State opened the first inning with Ibarra-Subia singling to first base, advancing to third on a groundout, and scoring off a groundout by Mayorga. This early run gave the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. In the second inning,
Tatum Waller singled and later crossed home plate following a hit by
Hayeli Acosta, extending the lead to 2-0. Meanwhile, MSU held SWOSU scoreless through the first four innings, maintaining defensive pressure and capitalizing on opportunities.
By the fifth inning, the Bulldogs responded with two runs, leveling the score at 2-2. The game remained tied through the seventh inning, with both teams tightening their defenses. In the eighth, SWOSU added a crucial run to take the lead. Despite a late pinch-hit single by
Jaycee Yezak in the eighth, the Bulldogs held on for the 3-2 victory.
Kayleigh Bowers pitched a complete game for the Mustangs, allowing three earned runs over 7 1/3 innings with 11 hits conceded. Acosta contributed offensively with two hits and one RBI in three at-bats. Yezak made an impact as a pinch hitter, recording one hit in her only at-bat. Rios added four assists in the field while executing a sacrifice bunt at the plate.
Looking ahead, MSU will host Lubbock Christian on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Mustangs Park in Wichita Falls, Texas. The game is set for 1 p.m.
