EDMOND, Okla. – Rogers State softball captured the MIAA tournament title for the second time in three years with a 2-1 walk-off win in a thrilling, nine-inning championship game on Saturday, May 4 .
The Hillcats won the 2024 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Softball Championship, defeating Pittsburg State 2-1, and claiming the Association’s automatic berth into the NCAA postseason.
The championship is Rogers State’s second tournament title since joining the MIAA in 2019-2020.
The showdown between the nationally ranked teams started with an intense pitching battle as neither starting pitcher allowed a run in the first four innings.
The MIAA Pitcher of the Year Sara Llamas-Howell scattered one hit, with that being the only runner left stranded while the MIAA Freshman of the Year Ava Laurent scattered two hits and left four runners stranded.
Rogers State finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth to take a 1-0 advantage.
The Gorillas of Pittsburg State quickly responded in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly to left to bring in the tying run and knot things at 1-1 .
In the bottom of the ninth, Rogers State’s Chelsea Spain led off the frame with double down the left field line.
McKayla Carney was responsible for the walk-off single as she blasted one to center field, allowing Spain to score the game-winning run.
Overall, the Hillcats offense out-hit the Gorillas 11-4
Rogers State’s shortstop Carney and second baseman Spain led all hitters in the box with three hits each.
The field saw flawless defense on both ends.
Rogers State’s Llamas-Howell pitched the complete game, allowing four hits and one run while delivering three strikeouts and zero walks.
( https://www.citynewsokc.com/sports/rogers-state-college-in-edmond-for-miaa-softball-tournament/article_7da07de4-089f-11ef-8e41-b7e57a16ed04.html )
Below, at the end of this report, is a list of players named to the 2024 MIAA Softball Championship All-Tournament Team.
Rogers State’s Kaylee Lyon was honored as the Tournament MVP.
The redshirt freshman third baseman was responsible for six of the Hillcats nine runs in the tournament and led all hitters with four RBI.
Rylee Lemos of the University of Central Oklahoma was also named to the All-Tournament team
( https://www.citynewsokc.com/sports/central-oklahoma-bronchos-hold-off-emporia-state-in-miaa/article_7449d59c-094e-11ef-b8d3-8b7631c5e5f2.html )
To view the final scores and stats from each game of the tournament, visit the softball championship page at theMIAA.com/Championships .
As noted, the Hillcats automatically qualify for the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament, May 9-11 .
Announcement of the post-season destinations for remaining regional-ranked MIAA teams is expected as early as Monday .
Here’s that All-Tournament Softball listing, with players for the Oklahoma schools in bold.
2024 MIAA SOFTBALL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Heather Arnett – Pittsburg State
Hannah Burnett – Pittsburg State
McKayla Carney – Rogers State
Paxtyn Hayes – Pittsburg State
Ava Laurent – Pittsburg State
Rylee Lemos – Central Oklahoma
Sara Llamas-Howell – Rogers State
Kaylee Lyon – Rogers State [Tournament MVP]
Abby Rogers – Rogers State
Jadyn Sanders – Rogers State
Gabby Schultz – Pittsburg State
Courtney Shorey – Pittsburg State
Callie Yellin – Rogers State
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