Box Score CLAREMORE, Okla. --- Rogers State scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday afternoon to defeat Wayland Baptist 6-5. The Hillcats captured the three-game series two games to one after winning the opener on Thursday by an identical 6-5 score.
With his team trailing 5-4 going into its final at bat, RSU pinch hitter Payden Yarmer smacked a double to left field off Pioneer starter Kevin Burbank. The next batter, Keith Poverud, laid down a bunt to advance Yarmer to third. Poverud was safe at first on a fielder's choice, so with two on and nobody out, and Burbank at 135 pitches, Wayland coach Brad Bass chose to go to his bullpen.
WBU sophomore Ryan Stuck threw a wild pitch to put the winning run on second, and after a couple of strikes, catcher Lance Rymel drove the 2-2 pitch to centerfield for the game-winning RBIs.
For the third game in a row, the Pioneers outhit their opponent. The 4-5-6 spots in the batting order did the majority of the damage in the series finale, combining for seven of the nine WBU hits. Nic Shadle, a junior leftfielder, had three hits in the game, including a double. Brian Embery had a double and a home run, his second of the season, and Kevin Hennessey added a couple of singles.
Wayland scored first with a run in the second. Embery led off with a double, went to third on Shadle's bunt single and scored on a squeeze by Oscar Rivera.
The Hillcats picked up three with two outs in the bottom of the inning after a hit batter, a single, and back-to-back doubles.
Embery made it 3-2 in the fourth with a solo shot. Shadle followed with a double, and Rivera tied it at three with a RBI groundout.
RSU regained the lead with a run in the fifth, but the Pioneers made it 5-4 with two in the sixth. Hennessey started things off with a base hit to left. He moved to second on Embery's groundout and scored on a RBI single off the bat of Shadle. Shadle later scored on a wild throw by the Hillcat shortstop.
Burbank retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh. In the eighth, he issued a two out walk and then balked the runner to second, but got a pop up to close the inning.
Hennessey, who got a base hit with two down in the seventh, was the only Pioneer hitter to get on base in the final three innings.
WBU takes a break from conference action with just one game next week. The Pioneers will travel to Canyon on Tuesday to get their first look at West Texas A&M's new facility, Wilder Park. First pitch for the game is scheduled to be thrown at 5 p.m.
