(Peru, Neb.) - After coming off two wins earlier in the week, the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat softball team split their double header against Ottawa University (OU) at home on March 14.
The 'Cats lost game one 10-6, but won game two 10-7. PSC has now improved to 12-9 and Ottawa University to 11-8. The Lady Braves had been receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Softball Ratings.
Game 1 Action
Neither team was able to score until the top of the third inning when Ottawa scored three runs, creating a lead that would not be challenged for the rest of the game. PSC answered back by scoring two in the bottom of the third cutting the deficit to 3-2.
The top of the fourth brought on three more runs from Ottawa while the Bobcats were able to put up three more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth, bringing the score to 6-5.
Ottawa was able to score two runs in the top of the fifth and sixth inning, and PSC was able to put their last and final run of the game on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Neither team was able to score in the seventh and Ottawa walked away with the win of 10-6.
The Bobcats scored their six runs on ten hits. Defensively, it was a tough game for PSC as they committed five errors.
Toni Blackwell (Papillion) had three hits, while
Brittany Hoock (Elkhorn), and
Devin Choate (Beatrice) each had two. Blackwell had four RBIs with Choate and
Emily Maresh (Central City) each had one RBI.
Devon Massengale (Elkhorn) pitched a full seven innings and gave up ten hits and twelve runs – six of which were earned. Massengale fell to 3-2 with the loss.
GAME ONE BOX SCORE
Game 2 Action
Both teams came out swinging in the first inning, but Ottawa was only able to put up one run at the top of the first.
The Bobcats started things off with an out, but was quickly followed up by a single by
Tesla Oldfield (Nebraska City) and she was able to reach second on a wild pitch by Ottawa.
Toni Moffatt (Morden, Manitoba, Canada) singled and was able to advance to second on the throw. Choate reached on a walk, which brought in Oldfield. Following a Bobcat out, Hoock reached on a walk, which brought in Moffatt. A PSC out would end the inning giving the Bobcats the lead at 2-1.
After a slow start for Ottawa in the first, they turned things around and were able to run up five runs on the 'Cats in the top of the second to take a 6-2 advantage.
The bottom of the second for PSC started off with
Miranda Lyndes (Peyton, Colo.) reaching on a walk and
Abbie Moser (Lincoln) came in as a pinch runner. Following a Bobcat out, Oldfield reached on a walk. Moffatt then hit a double to right field and Moser scored. Two more Bobcat outs led to the end of the inning, with Ottawa now holding the lead at 6-3.
The third inning kept both teams scoreless, but the top of the fourth inning brought on one run from Ottawa.
The Bobcats, however, were able to put out several more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth, starting with a single from Oldfield. After a PSC out, Choate doubled to left field and Oldfield scored.
Kristen Bodyk (Paris, Ontario, Canada) then singled and Choate scored. Maresh then stepped up and hit a two-run home run on 0-0 count. Hoock and
Jordan Walker (Peyton, Colo.) each singled, and Hoock scored on a misplayed grounder. The inning ended with two more Bobcat outs, but the 'Cats were now able to take the lead back with a score of 8-7. They would keep the lead the rest of the game.
Inning five was all the Bobcats as they kept Ottawa scoreless and were able to score two runs of their own. Oldfield started things off with a single. Moffatt then reached on the fielder's choice but Oldfield was forced out. Choate then singled, followed by a Bobcat out. Maresh kept things going with a single, bringing Moffatt in. Hoock was up next and was able to reach on a misplayed grounder and Choate scored. Two more outs led to the end of the inning, but both teams would remain scoreless for rest of the game, giving PSC the win, 10-7.
Peru State pounded out 15 hits and put up ten runs. Defensively, the 'Cats still struggled and committed four errors.
Oldfield had four hits and Maresh had three hits in the game. Maresh had three RBIs while Bodyk added two.
Lyndsay Drumm (Bennington) pitched one and one-third innings, and gave up six hits and six runs – all earned.
Trista Hutchings (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada) relieved Drumm and pitched five and two-thirds innings. Hutchings gave up two hits, one run, and no earned runs to gain the win, which was her first win of the season.
GAME TWO BOX SCORE
