April 4, 2008

Rogers State junior Jenny Johnson tossed a no-hitter against Mid-America Christian as the Hillcats swept the Lady Evangels in a doubleheader at the Hillcat Complex Thursday.

Johnson didn't allow a ball to leave the infield and tallied seven strikeouts to record the first no-hitter in school history. The transfer from Rohnert Park, Calif., improved her record to 12-0 with the historical 4-0 victory.

The No. 5 Hillcats scored six runs on nine hits in the opener en route to a 6-2 win. With the sweep RSU ran its winning streak to 10 games and held on to its spot atop the Sooner Athletic Conference standings.

GAME ONE

RSU scored twice in the second inning and three times in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead in the opener. Sara Walkup tripled in the second and scored on a single by Katie Bointy. Tanya Koch plated Bointy with a two-out single to left to make it 2-0. Randi Tyler homered over the left field wall to start the Hillcat fourth and the Cats busted it open with three runs on three hits in the frame.

The Lady Evangels touched Kelli Dunagan for a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Candice Meza led off with a single and Holly Steckbauer reached on a fielder's choice. Meza scored on an RBI single by Jenna Harris and Steckbauer stole home with two outs to make it 5-2.

Dunagan (20-4) shutdown the Evangels the rest of the way and finished with 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work. RSU added a run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Sara Walkup to reach the final margin, 6-2.

Koch finished 3-for-3 with an RBI while Walkup and Bointy tallied two hits apiece.

GAME TWO

While Johnson methodically went about her business, the Hillcat offense struggled to get going in the nightcap. RSU scored an unearned run in the third inning on a two-base throwing error by MACU third baseman Alesha Calvery.

The bats finally awoke in the fifth as Mandy Clark led off the inning with a single. It was the first hit of the ball game for either side. Dunagan followed with an RBI double off the center field wall and Tyler and Walkup ripped run-scoring singles to put the Cats in front, 4-0.

That was more than enough support for Johnson. After hitting a batter and issuing a walk in the top of the first inning, Johnson allowed only one additional base runner in the game. Meza reached on an error in the fifth, but was left stranded at first base. Johnson used 11 ground outs, seven strikeouts and three pop outs to complete the no-hit bid.

Rogers State (32-4, 11-1) set a new single season record for wins after winning 31 games in 2007. The Hillcats will travel to Lubbock Christian this weekend for a doubleheader showdown with the third-ranked Lady Chaparrals Sunday. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m.