WICHITA, Kan. — Pitching and defense came up big in tight spots for both teams, but the Newman softball team fell in a tight Heartland Conference series finale to Rogers State Saturday afternoon at the Newman Softball Field.

The Jets (12-23, 4-8 Heartland) saw runners reach base in all seven innings, but both sides were good at getting out of jams, with a two-run home run for the Hillcats (14-21, 4-11 Heartland) standing up in the 2-1 victory.

Both teams were able to get runners on base often, but the opposing pitchers got out of those jams with the help of some timely defense, sending the game into the sixth inning in a scoreless tie. Newman stranded a pair of runners in the bottom of the first, and returned the favor in the top of the third, as the Hillcats got two runners on with one out. Starting pitcher Kate Smith picked up a strikeout and Courtney Sartin made a nice play on a line drive to get out of the inning.

A double play got RSU out of the bottom of the fourth, and the Hillcats scored their only runs of the game on a two-run home run with none out in the top of the sixth to break the shutout. The Jets got runners to second and third in the bottom half of the frame, but were unable to answer. They cut the deficit in half in the seventh, as Kendra Mendoza singled and pinch runner Jensen Cromer moved up to second on Taylor Mannis' single. An error on the play pushed Cromer to third, and she scored on Mikayla Medbery's sacrifice fly to center.

The Jets cracked nine hits in the game, with Rachael Withers leading the way with a 3-for-3 day and stealing a pair of bases. Mendoza and Mannis each went 2-for-3, with Mannis adding a sac bunt and a stolen base. Delaney Hiegert added a hit and swiped second twice, while Smith scattered seven hits over the seven innings, allowing one walk and striking out four.

Newman is back in action with a doubleheader against Northeastern State Tuesday back at Newman Softball Field.