(Peru, Neb.) – After trailing by five runs at the end of the second inning, the Peru State Bobcat baseball team bounced back to grab a nine-winning win over Nebraska Wesleyan on Thursday by the score of 7-5.
 
With the non-conference win, the 'Cats improved to 13-13 while the Prairie Wolves fell to 8-8.
 
Game Action
 
Nebraska Wesleyan scored all five of their runs in the bottom of the second inning and held that lead until the Bobcats would finally get on the board in the top of the fifth.
 
Jake Wright (Freeport, Fla.) singled to center field and Tanner DeGafferelly (Freeport, Fla.) came in to run for Wright.  After the first out, Ronnie Tanner (Havertown, Pa.) singled to right center with DeGafferelly advanced to third.  Tanner stole second before Tyler Croushorn (Omaha) would double to right field, driving in both runners, to cut the deficit to 5-2.
 
The Bobcats would add another run in the seventh with Tanner starting things off with a single up the middle.  After an out, Tanner stole single and then advanced to third when Croushorn singled to left field.  George Palko (Kent, Wash.) singled to right field scoring Tanner, making it 5-3 Prairie Wolves.
 
In the top of the eighth, the 'Cats would eventually take the lead and then hold on for the win.
 
Phil Lial (Las Vegas, Nev.) hit a double to left center and advanced to third on a fielding error.  Kenny Bias (Raymore, Mo.) reached on a walk and DeGafferelly came in to pinch run for Bias.  Tyler Cherin (Seattle, Wash.) provided a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Lial to make it 5-4 Nebraska Wesleyan.  Tanner singled down the right field line and DeGafferelly advanced to third.  Dan McGonigle (Blue Springs, Mo.) followed with a single and RBI as DeGafferelly was able to score with Tanner advancing to second, which tied the game at 5-5.  Croushorn reached first on a fielder's choice with McGonigle being forced out at second and Tanner going to third.  Croushorn stole second and both runners came home when Palko singled up the middle.  Palko's single gave the Bobcats the lead at 7-5, which stood up for the final game score.
 
The Bobcats pounded out 13 hits to score their seven runs and did not commit an error.  The Prairie Wolves scored their five runs on seven hits and had one error.
 
Tanner was four for four in the game and scored three runs.  Croushorn and Palko each had two hits with Palko having three RBI and Croushorn two.
 
Richard Oppitz (Topeka, Kan.) started on the hill for Peru State and pitched two and two-third innings.  Oppitz gave up four hits, five earned runs and struck out one.  Pat Bramhall (Vermillion, Kan.) came in to relieve Oppitz and threw two and one-third innings.  Bramhall only gave up one hit and struck out one.  Ryan Grabowski (Omaha) pitched the sixth and seventh innings and was credited for the win.  Grabowski gave up just one hit and struck out two.  Brandon Howell (Bonifay, Fla.) pitched after Grabowski and earned the save, throwing the final two innings.  Howell game up just one hit and had one strikeout.

NEBRASKA WESLEYAN BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats are on the road Saturday and Sunday to play a four-game series in Atchison, Kan., against Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Western Division opponent, the Benedictine College Ravens.  The double headers each day will begin at 1 p.m.
 
On Wednesday, Peru State will host Midland University in a non-conference game with the match-up being held on the Nebraska City High School Field.  Game time is 6 p.m.