Rogers State softball season comes to an end in Super Regional Final against Augustana

Claremore, Oklahoma – Rogers State softball (46-12) saw another incredible season come to an end as they came up short against Augustana (50-13) in a 6-0 game in the NCAA Division II Central Super Regional final on Wednesday, May 15.

The Vikings jumped on the board early with a leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second. A one out double through the left side of the infield put them up 1-0.

Augie added another run in the second to go up 2-0 as a run scored on a throwing error by the third baseman. They continued to add to their lead in the third with a solo home run to left to take a 3-0 lead.

The Vikings broke the game open in the fourth as a three-run homer to right center put the game away, 6-0.

After Paxton Donaldson led off the game with a single through the left side of the infield, the Hillcats were limited in their scoring opportunities as they went 10 straight plate appearances before their next base runner reached.

RSU's best scoring opportunity came in the top of the seventh as Callie Yellin led off the frame with a double to left field. Bobbie Leitha moved her to third with a ground out to pitcher. The Hillcats were unlucky as the next two batters lined out to second and grounded out to second to bring the season to a close.

Grace Glanzer (27-3) earned the complete game shutout. Jade Sanders (17-4) took the loss.

( https://rsuhillcats.com/news/2024/5/15/hillcat-softball-season-comes-to-an-end-in-super-regional-final-against-augustana.aspx )

The day before, the Lady Hillcats had fallen just short of a come-from-behind win against Augustana, a school based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Vikings in that game garnered two runs in the top of the second, and a third run in the fourth stanza.

Then, in their half of the sixth-inning, the Rogers State offense "began to wake up."

Donaldson "battled an 11-pitch at bat, including eight foul balls, to blast a double to center on pitch 12. McKayla Carney traded places with her as she laced a her own double to right, bringing in Donaldson. She then reached third on a wild pitch. Abbey Rogers put the Hillcats on the board as she drove in Carney with a RBI groundout to second. Unfortunately, the rally would end with RSU still down 3-2.

"Neither side could get anything going in a scoreless seventh inning, giving the Vikings the game one win."

( https://rsuhillcats.com/news/2024/5/14/softball-late-rsu-rally-comes-up-short-in-first-game-of-super-regionals-against-augustana.aspx )

About Augustana

After the deciding victory over Rogers State, on Thursday, May 16 , Augustana was named the No. 7 seed in the NCAA D-II softball championship series.

They will travel to Orlando, Florida, to face the University of Texas-Tyler in one of the first games in the championship.

( https://goaugie.com/news/2024/5/16/viking-softball-was-selected-as-the-no-7-seed-ahead-of-the-national-championship.aspx )

The Augustana Vikings earned their shot at Super-Regional competition through victories over Pittsburg State (Kansas) of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MAIAA) and Oklahoma Baptist (from Shawnee) of the Great American Conference (GAC).

( https://www.citynewsokc.com/sports/oklahoma-baptist-bison-garner-second-straight-trip-into-ncaa-dii-softball-tournament/article_f422a1da-0daf-11ef-b4bc-ab6cf06c90b8.html )

The Vikings entered the NAIA playoff system after wining the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title.

Rogers State Hillcats had a good year

Last weekend, the Hillcats had claimed their second Central Regional Championship in three seasons after defeating Southern Nazarene University (of Bethany, Oklahoma).

After two scoreless innings, the Hillcats edged forward in the third inning, when Kaylee Lyon blasted what the RSU website described as a "no doubt, solo home run."

In the sixth stanza, Chelsea Spain "blasted a 3-1 pitch down the left field line for a single" which drove Bridgett Morales in from second base. (Morales had hit a double just prior.)

The Hillcats scored twice more in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, McKayla Carney hit a single to bring in both Morales and Spain.

( https://rsuhillcats.com/news/2024/5/11/softball-hillcats-return-to-super-regionals-with-win-over-southern-nazarene-on-championship-saturday.aspx )

Rogers State had garnered favorable notice after soaring past two strong programs in the heart of Oklahoma -- Mid-America Christian and the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos -- to reach the regional and super-regional competition.

( https://www.citynewsokc.com/sports/rogers-state-hillcats-win-miaa-title-with-2-1-victory-head-into-ncaa-ii-post/article_3009ab20-0b04-11ef-8db1-0306f05de38a.html )