WICHITA, Kan. — The Newman baseball team returned home after a quick road trip earlier this week hosting Rogers State in a nonconference matchup. The Jets were able to get the first day split with the Hillcats looking to get the series win in the finale Saturday.
Game 1
The Jets were able to put the ball in play a lot in game 1 but were just finding Hillcat defenders in the process. The Jets were locked in a battle with the Hillcats until late in the game. The Hillcats had a big fifth inning when walks came back to haunt the Jets as Rogers State picked up double-digit runs and the Jets were having to fight from behind.
On the Offensive side the Jets still had some players with good at-bats, Mitchell Austin went 3-for-4 in game one, Jon Coufal went 2-for-3, and Chris Opolka went 1-for-3 as the Jets tried to keep the fight alive but the Hillcats were able to take the game one victory.
Game 2
Looking to get back into the series the Jets set out game 2 looking to make a significant swing, after Rogers took an early 1-0 lead the Jets came right back with a run of their own. Koby Millner started with a single to right center followed by a steal bringing up Paul Rupnik who moved him over with a deep fly ball. Daniel Blake tied the game with a single through the right side scoring Austin.
In the bottom of the second, the Jets got started once again Mason Nagle got things started with a double down the right field line, later bringing up Rupnik who singled to center field scoring Nagle and giving the Jets the lead. The Jets continued their scoring in the bottom of the third when they got another run on a Coufal single up the middle scoring Jake Hanson and later in the fourth the Jets got another run on a Mitchell Austin Sacrifice fly to center field for the 4-1 lead and later the game 2 victory.
In Game two eight of the nine Jet starters were able to record a hit in the game two victory.
The Jets conclude their series with the Hillcats Saturday afternoon with first pitch coming at 1 p.m.