Central Drops Tough One To Hillcats

CLAREMORE, Okla. (March 11) – Corrina Rivas' stellar performance in the pitching circle went for naught Thursday afternoon as Central Oklahoma dropped a tense 1-0 decision to No. 12-ranked Rogers State in the second game of a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association doubleheader.

The No. 25 Bronchos, playing their sixth game in three days, still earned a split after winning the opener 5-1. UCO, now 12-4 overall and 5-1 in the league, doesn't return to action until going to the Hy-Vee Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. March 19-20.

Rivas allowed just two hits in going the full six innings while striking out four and walking four. The junior right-hander retired 11 consecutive batters during one stretch.

But Central managed just two hits itself and couldn't produce a run despite having a couple of good chances.

"Corrina pitched extremely well, but so did the Rogers kid (M'Kayla Hillan)," head coach Cody White said. "They were able to scratch out a run and we couldn't. It's hard to be too disappointed when you split on the road against a really good team, especially with it being our sixth game in three days."

Rivas' only struggle of the game came in the second when the Hillcats tallied the lone run of the contest. Rivas walked three batters in that frame in addition to giving up an infield single and it was a two-out, bases-loaded walk that forced in what turned out to be the winning score.

UCO's best scoring chance came in the third.

Amelya Huggins drew a lead-off walk, Shayla Harper followed with a single down the right field line and Tarin Dubler's sacrifice bunt advanced both runners. But the Bronchos couldn't capitalize, with back-to-back groundouts ending the threat.

Central's only other hit came in the fifth when Huggins started the inning with a single to right-center field. Harper sacrificed pinch-runner Kayla Mantooth to second and she went to third on a wild pitch before consecutive groundouts again stymied the Bronchos.

UCO didn't have a base runner in its final two at bats and a five-game winning streak came to an end.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Tarin Dubler: IF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#13 Corrina Rivas: P; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#25 Amelya Huggins: IF/C; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#11 Shayla Harper: IF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#21 Kayla Mantooth: OF; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#4 Tarin Dubler
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#13 Corrina Rivas
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: P

#25 Amelya Huggins
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF/C

#11 Shayla Harper
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#21 Kayla Mantooth
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: OF