CLAREMORE, Okla. — They say history remembers the victors, but on April 7 of 2023, history will also remember Sydni Hawkins.

In Griffon Softball's doubleheader defeat at No. 8 Rogers State on Friday, Hawkins recorded her 266th-career hit, passing Morgan Rathmann for first all-time in program history. Hawkins etched her name into the record books with an infield single to third base to lead off game two in the top of the first. Coincidentally, both of Hawkins' record-tying and record-breaking hits were infield singles to third, as she is one trip to second shy of setting another MWSU record, currently tied with Amy Beverly (2003-06) for first all-time with 58 doubles.

GAME ONE
Rogers State 8, Missouri Western 0 (six innings)
Friday's opening game got off to a tough start with Rogers State tagging MWSU pitcher Harley Pruetting for three runs in the first. A four-run spot in the fourth made it a 7-0 game, and the Hillcats walked off with a run-rule victory in the sixth thanks to an RBI single by Bridgett Morales.

GAME TWO 
Rogers State 5, Missouri Western 1
With Hawkins getting rid of any worry for the hits record early on and advancing to second on a wild pitch, the Griffons were not able to capitalize, as RSU pitcher Jade Sander stranded the senior second baseman with a strikeout and back-to-back groundouts. Rogers State (29-6, 8-4 MIAA) jumped ahead early again in the first, putting two on the board off of an RBI groundout by Abbey Rogers that plated one run and forced a throwing error at first base, allowing Nicole Price to score. Pitcher Sam Pederson hunkered down and slowed the RSU offense, holding the Hillcats scoreless for the next four innings. Down 2-0 in the sixth, Kalee Higdon responded with a solo home run to center field to make it a 2-1 game.

However, Rogers replied with a three-run sixth, putting MWSU in a tough spot entering the seventh inning. Chloe Armstrong reached on a fielder's choice to replace pinch runner Mackenzie DeVine at first base, and Kaylea Fessler reached base due to an error at shortstop. Despite forcing two errors and putting two runners on, the Griffons left both on base with back-to-back strikeouts to end the day.

NOTABLES 

• Rathmann's hits record stood for nearly six years, reaching 2,170 days.
• Higdon's home run gives her four this season, tying her with Pruetting for second place on the team.
• Armstrong was hit by a pitch for the third time this season during game one, tying her with Natalee Weber for the team lead.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western (25-12, 7-7 MIAA) next plays Northeastern State (22-15, 4-8 MIAA) in a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, at RiverHawks Park. Northeastern is riding a four-game winning streak, notching back-to-back doubleheader sweeps of Lincoln and Northwest Missouri State in the past week.