(Peru, Neb.) – After taking the first game with a shutout, the Bobcat baseball team failed to win the second game of the series, even after having the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh with no outs.
Peru State College (PSC) won game one against Benedictine College (BC) 7-0 behind a strong performance on the mound from
Will Scott. Scott threw a two-hit shutout and struck out ten in the win. In the second game, the Ravens held on to win 4-2, thwarting the 'Cats attempt to sweep in the bottom of the seventh.
With the split, PSC is now 20-12 overall and 5-7 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The 5-7 record places the Bobcats eighth in the conference standings.
Benedictine is 7-7 in the HAAC and 13-18 overall. Presently, the Ravens are sixth in the conference rankings.
Game One Action
It was a pitcher's duel through the first three innings of the first game.
The Bobcats drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth with
Jeff Eubank (Fort Pierce, Fla.) singling thru the hole at second to get things started. Eubank then went to second on a stolen base and advanced to third on the defense's indifference.
Kyle Fredrickson (Omaha) reached on a walk and
Mitch Roberts (Blue Springs) came in to run for Fredrickson.
Derek Voigt (Auburn, Wash.) hit a sacrifice fly to center with Eubank scoring. Roberts did get a stolen base, but ended up stranded on base following the next two outs.
After the first out of the fifth inning,
Randy Santiesteban (Hialeah, Fla.) doubled to deep left-center and came home when
Jonathan Castillo (Paterson, N.J.) singled thru the hole at shortstop. Castillo was put out at second while trying to stretch it for a double. With two outs,
Tyler Croushorn (Omaha) reached base on a misplayed grounder by BC and then went to second with a stolen base. On a wild pitch, Croushorn went to third. Eubank then reached on a walk, which was followed by Fredrickson getting on base on the second error by BC's shortstop, which allowed Croushorn to score. Eubank had gone to second on the play and later came home when Voigt singled thru the hole at shortstop.
J.L. Thomason doubled deep down the left-field line driving in both Fredrickson and Voigt.
Brenden Gentry (Sallisaw, Okla.) singled to short with Thomason advancing to third, but both were left on base with a fly ball out.
However, the 'Cats were able to plate five runs giving them a commanding 6-0 lead going into the sixth inning.
Peru State added one more run in the sixth inning. Santiesteban singled up the middle and after the first out of the inning, went to second when Croushorn reached base on the third error by the Ravens' shortstop. Eubank got on base with another BC error and on the wild throw, Santiesteban would score to make it 7-0, the eventual final score.
Santiesteban went two for two while Voigt and Thomason each had two RBI to lead the Bobcat batters.
Scott pitched a complete, seven-inning shutout, giving up just two hits and struck out ten.
GAME ONE BOX SCORE
Game Two Action
The Bobcats again drew first blood in the second game in the bottom of the first inning. Castillo got on base with a walk and then stole second base. Castillo advanced to third on the defense's indifference and later came home on a balk called on the BC pitcher.
Benedictine knotted the game in the top of the second with a run and then took a 3-1 lead after scoring two in the top of the third.
The Ravens added one more in the top of the sixth to go up 4-1, before Peru State added one in the bottom of the same inning. After two outs, Fredrickson reached on a walk and Roberts came in to run for Fredrickson. Voigt moved Roberts to second with a single. Then, Thomason reached on a walk to load the bases.
Jared Esquivel (Peyton, Colo.) came in as a pinch runner for Thomason. Gentry was then hit by a pitch driving in Roberts, but a ground out left the bases loaded and the 'Cats trailing 4-2.
Peru State again had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but could not capitalize and the Ravens had gained the split of the double header.
Gentry went two for two while Eubank was two for four to lead the PSC batting. Gentry was credited with the lone RBI for the 'Cats.
Austin Parker (Brighton, Colo.) started on the mound for PSC and pitched the first three innings. Parker gave up six hits, three runs – all earned, and struck out four. Parker was tagged with the loss and falls to 1-2.
Timothy Patterson (Valdosta, Ga.) came in and threw the last four innings. Patterson gave up just two hits, one earned run, and struck out four.
GAME TWO BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
The Bobcats have a busy next nine days. On Tuesday, PSC hosts the Evangel University Crusaders in a make-up double header for HAAC play. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Then, on Wednesday, the 'Cats will host Dordt College in a nine-inning contest, now scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., not as previously published at 1 p.m.
This weekend, Peru State has a pair of conference double headers with Avila University. Game time for both days is 1 p.m. On Sunday, following the games, the 15 Bobcat seniors will be recognized.
Monday, April 16, will be the make-up date for the rained out double header with Benedictine from this past Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m.
After their 11-game home stand, the Bobcats will travel to Concordia University in Seward for a double header scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
