(Peru, Neb.) – It was another nail-biter in the ninth inning.  However, it was another good ending as the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat baseball team earned its way into the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) championship game.
 
In the Bobcats' first year in the HAAC, they have worked their way from the third seed in the Western Division into the championship game by defeating the regular season conference champion, Avila University, 2-1, on Friday.  With the win, Peru State, now 34-16 on the season, will await the outcome of the two consolation round games being played later on Friday.  Their opponent will be either Evangel University, Central Methodist University, or Avila University – all of which presently have one loss.  
The championship game is scheduled to begin at noon at the Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo.  With a win, the Bobcats will advance to the first round of the NAIA National Tournament.  Sites and pairings will be determined late on Sunday and released on Monday.  Play will begin on May 10.
 
If PSC would drop the first game, there would still be one more game, as it is a double elimination.  A second game will follow at approximately 3:30 p.m.
 
Avila – PSC Game Action
 
The starting pitchers for both teams pretty much kept things in check throughout the game with a few exceptions.
 
The Bobcats got their first run in the top of the third when Brenden Gentry (Sallisaw, Okla.) doubled to deep right-center to get things going.  Two outs followed before Jonathan Castillo (Paterson, N.J.) singled to right driving in Gentry.  
Avila tied it in the bottom of the fourth.  Both teams had scoring opportunities in the eighth, but could not cash in.
 
Then, in the top of the ninth, Derek Voigt (Auburn, Wash.) doubled down the left-field line to start things off for the 'Cats.  J.L. Thomason (Holt, Fla.) singled to shallow left with Voigt advancing to third.  With a throwing error by Avila, Voigt was able to score to give PSC the 2-1 lead.  Unfortunately, for Peru State, no more runs would be scored.  
In the bottom of the inning, Aubrey Dezarn (Las Vegas, Nev.) came in to relieve Bryan Duncan (Seattle, Wash.), who had thrown the first eight innings.   Following the first out of the inning, Dezarn issued a walk.  After a pop-up out to the infield, the Eagles got a single, which advanced the first runner to second.  Another walk was given up which loaded the bases.  Dezarn was able to get the next batter to ground out to get the save and the big Bobcat win.
 
Gentry went two for three with Castillo getting the lone credited RBI.
 
Duncan earned his seventh win of the year against two losses.  Duncan scattered six hits, gave up one earned run, and had one strikeout.  Dezarn threw one inning, gave up just one hit, and earned the save, his second of the year.
AVILA-PSC BOX SCORE
 
Championship Action
 
The Bobcats will wait to see whom they will be playing on Saturday and will have some rested arms of their hurlers as the three previous starters have pitched most of each of the first three games.