The Eagles scored one in the top of the first inning and two in the top of the second to take a 3-0 lead on the Bobcats. It appeared that CMU would score more in the top of the third as they had runners on first and third before the Bobcats made a pitching change as
Massengale did not get a good start as she hit the first batter she faced to load the bases. However, the tide turned as the next batter popped out to third. Then, the next Eagle lined out to short and the runner on third was forced out while returning to the base.
The Bobcats mounted a rally in the bottom of the inning as
Trista Hutchings (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada) reached on an Eagle Error and went to second when fellow Canadian
Toni Moffatt (Morden, Manitoba, Canada) bunted and reached on a base hit. Hutchings went to third on the throw.
Brittany Hoock (Elkhorn) came to the plate and laid down a bunt for a hit while Hutchings scored on a squeeze play. After a strikeout,
Devin Choate (Beatrice) singled up the middle scoring Moffatt with Hoock staying at second. Still with two players on base, the 'Cats were not able to capitalize, but had cut the lead down to 3-2.
For the rest of the game, both pitchers pretty much dominated the game and neither team was able to score as the Eagles held on to claim their ninth win in a row.
Hoock finished two for three to lead the 'Cats and had one RBI. Choate was credited for the other RBI.
Disney started on the mound and pitched two innings giving up seven hits and three runs – all earned. For Disney, it was her first loss of the year and she is now 4-1. Massengale pitched the final five innings and gave up only three hits while striking out three.
GAME ONE BOX SCORE
Game Two Action
It was somewhat the reverse in the second game as the Bobcats did their scoring early and shut down CMU.
Peru State put runs on the board in the first inning after their first two outs.
Miranda Lyndes (Peyton, Colo.) singled up the middle and went to second when Choate was hit by a pitch.
Kristen Bodyk (Paris, Ontario, Canada) doubled to deep left-center driving in both Lyndes and Choate.
Emily Maresh (Central City) then drove in Bodyk with a ground-rule double, which went over the centerfield fence. At the end of one, the 'Cats led 3-0.
After a scoreless second inning, PSC added more runs in the bottom of the third. Following the first out, Bodyk reached on a walk and went to second when Maresh singled up the middle.
Stephanie Holdsworth (Bennett) singled to shallow left and loaded the bases. Massengale then tripled to deep right-center driving in Bodyk and Maresh, but Holdsworth was thrown out at the plate. After the next out, PSC had a 5-0 advantage after three.
Neither team scored in the fourth or fifth, but CMU managed to plate four runs in the top of the sixth to cut it to a 5-4 lead for Peru State.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bobcats added an insurance run. With one out, Hoock reached with a walk and went to third when Lyndes singled down the right-field line. Choate bunted and reached first on a squeeze play with Hoock scoring. Bodyk singled to shallow right to load the bases, but Peru State could not capitalize and left the bases loaded, but was now up 6-4.
In the top of the seventh, the Eagles did manage to score one run on a homer, but failed to get any more and the Bobcats prevailed 6-5.
Peru State had ten hits and were led by Lyndes, Bodyk, and Maresh, who each went two for three. Bodyk and Massengale each had two RBI.
Massengale earned her seventh win of the season and is now 7-3 having pitched the first five innings. Massengale scattered four hits and gave up three runs – just one earned and struck out two.
Lyndsay Drumm (Bennington) pitched one inning in relief and gave up just one hit and one run – not earned.
Lauren Johnson (Seward) pitched the final inning, giving up two hits and one earned run, and got the save.
GAME TWO BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
On Wednesday, PSC will host a former Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) foe, the College of St. Mary. Game time for the double header is 3 p.m.
Then, on Friday, the 'Cats will travel to Omaha to take on the NCAA Division I University of Nebraska Omaha Lady Mavs in a single game beginning at 5 p.m.
Another HAAC double header will face the Bobcats, but this time on the road on Saturday, April 7. Peru State will travel to Baldwin City, Kan., to play the Baker University Wildcats beginning at 1 p.m.
