Alva Review-Courier -

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Rogers State softball team continued its winning streak with two victories to start the UAM 8-State Classic on Friday (Feb. 17). Megan Rosewell pitched a gem in the first game for a 7-0 win over Nebraska-Kearney in the morning, and the Cats rallied for a 6-5 victory over host UAM in the afternoon.

Rogers State 7, Nebraska Kearney 0

Rosewell, a junior from Grapevine, Texas, retired the first 20 batters and was only one out away from a perfect game before the Lopers notched their first hit on a blooper single to right in the seventh inning. Rosewell finished with a two-hitter as she struck out two and needed only 56 pitches in seven innings. She forced 16 groundouts with only a few balls reaching the outfield.

After a slow start from the bats, RSU posted three runs in the fourth inning. Mikayla Waggnor started the scoring with a two-run home run to deep center, her first homer in a Hillcat uniform. Harli Wheeler added the third run in the inning with a bunt squeeze to score Ashley Williams.

Freshman De'Leigh Emarthle went deep in the fifth inning, hitting a two-run homer to center for a 5-0 score. Emarthle wasn't done as she added two more RBI in the sixth inning with a double down the line for the final 7-0 margin.

Emarthle finished going 2-for-4 with four RBI and one run scored.

Rogers State 6, Arkansas Monticello 5

The navy and red used three runs in the final two innings to rally from a 4-3 deficit to win, 6-5, in game two against UAM.

Down 4-3 in the sixth inning, Ali Turner tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI single to plate Waggnor.

In the seventh inning, Emarthle put the Cats up, 5-4, with a triple down the line to score Katelyn Gamble for a 5-4 edge. RSU added an important insurance run when Kenzi Lloyd scored on a ground ball from Kayla Patterson. UAM's throw home was late as the navy and red went up, 6-4.

The run would be needed as UAM hit a solo home run in the seventh for the final 6-5 score.

RSU started fast with three runs in the first inning. Arika Araujo opened the scoring with a double to left center to bring home Emarthle and Patterson for a 2-0 lead. Waggnor pushed the advantage to 3-0 with a double down the line to score Araujo.

The Blossoms chipped away and took a 4-3 advantage with runs in each of the second, third and fourth innings. UAM plated the first run on a solo home run in the second and added another run in the third on a triple. The Blossoms tied the score at 3-3 with a single through the infield in the fourth, and a groundout scored a runner from third for the 4-3 lead before the RSU rally.

Roswell started in the circle again, pitching a complete game. She moved to 6-1 on the season, allowing five runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. Roswell went on a streak of 12.1 innings without allowing a run, dating back to the series at Mid-America Christian.

RSU tallied 10 hits. Araujo went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Emarthle was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Waggnor also went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Gamble added two hits.

The Hillcats (6-2) continue their weekend with two games on Saturday at the 8-State Classic. RSU starts with Concordia-St. Paul at 9 a.m. and follows with Rockhurst at 3 p.m. Live stats will be available on the Hillcat Network at http://www.rsuhillcats.com/live.