Hall of Fame
The 1996 Peru State softball team is the only Bobcat softball team to ever play in the NAIA National Championship. The Bobcats first won the Independent Sectional Tournament, followed by the Great Plains Regional Tournament to qualify for the national tournament.
In the sectional, the Bobcats topped Dordt (Iowa) 9-0 and Briar Cliff (Iowa) 3-1 to earn the right to compete in the regional. Peru State defeated Jamestown (N.D.) 9-1, Northwestern (Iowa) 10-9, Hastings 10-2, and Northwestern (Iowa) 5-4 in the championship to earn the trip to Decatur, Alabama.
The team, coached by Mark Mathews, finished the season with a 42-23 record.
The team’s performance that season left a big mark on the Bobcat record book. Six single-season records were established and still stand today. The Bobcats hit the most triples in a season – 31, had the most assists in a season – 610, faced the most batters in a season – 1,769, had the most complete games in a season – 57, played the most games in a season – 65, and gained the most wins in a season – 42.
Several team members are still in the top ten single-season record books – four in most at-bats, runs scored, and most doubles; three in most hits and most RBIs; two in home runs, most stolen bases, most triples, most innings pitched, most victories and most complete games pitched, and one in most strikeouts.
Two of the Bobcat players were recognized as NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
