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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

The Official Site of Central Oklahoma University Athletics Central Oklahoma Athletics
Lexy Dobson
Lexy Dobson
1
Central Oklahoma UCO 48-12
3
Winner Rogers State RSU 52-10
Central Oklahoma UCO
48-12
1
Final
3
Rogers State RSU
52-10
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Central Oklahoma UCO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0
Rogers State RSU 0 2 0 0 0 1 X 3 7 1

W: Andrea Morales (33-4) L: Lynch, Kylee (26-5)

Game Recap: Softball |

UCO Falls In Super Regional Opener

CLAREMORE, Okla. (May 19) – Jacee Minter's run-scoring double in the first inning staked Central Oklahoma to an early lead, but that's the only offense the No. 8-ranked Bronchos could muster in dropping a 3-1 decision to No. 4 Rogers State in the first game of the Central Super Regional Tournament Thursday night.

The Hillcats (52-10) scored twice in the second to take the lead and added an insurance run in the sixth to claim the win in the battle of MIAA rivals. UCO (48-12), which managed just three hits, must win twice Friday to advance to next week's Division II World Series.

Game two is set for 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Diamond Sports Complex, with a Central win forcing the "if necessary" contest at 5.

"It's kind of what we expected, a hard-fought game," head coach Cody White said. "Rogers has a very good team and so do we and we knew it was going to be close. We failed to make a few adjustments at the plate, so tomorrow's another day and we gotta get up and get ready to go."

UCO tallied its lone run in the top of the first against Rogers ace Andrea Morales, the MIAA Pitcher of the Year who leads Division II in wins with 33.

Shayla Harper drew a lead-off walk after starting the at bat with two quick strikes, moved to second on Brighton Gilbert's groundout and scooted home when Minter blooped a two-out double down the right field line.

"I had a feeling she was going to go outside so I waited on an outside pitch and went with it," said Minter, who broke JoBi Heath's school record with her 25th double of the season.

Harper made three consecutive plays from her third base spot in the bottom of the first to become UCO's single-season leader in assists with 157, but the Hillcats surged in front in the second.

A hit batter got the inning started for RSU, which strung together three straight hits in scoring twice to move in front for good.

It stayed 2-1 until the sixth when the Hillcats loaded the bases with no outs. Second baseman Tarin Dubler made an outstanding stop on a hard-hit grounder up the middle that led to an RBI fielder's choice, but that was the only run UCO allowed.

But the 3-1 deficit was too much. And now the Bronchos are on the verge of having their remarkable season ended.

"They (Rogers) are tough, but we can do it," White said. "We beat them twice at our place earlier this year (a doubleheaders sweep on April 16) and we can do it again. That's the mentality we're going to show up with."

Lexy Dobson had two of UCO's three hits.
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