(Peru, Neb.) – In their first home competition of the year, the Peru State baseball team swept the Morningside College Mustangs on Friday at the Centennial Complex Field. Playing in windy conditions, the Bobcats won the first game 10-3 and held on for a 7-6 win in the second game of the double header.

With the two wins, Peru State improved to 7-4 on the season while Morningside fell to 7-11.

Morningside Game 1

The Mustangs got on the scoreboard first by plating two runs in the top of the first inning. Morningside maintained that lead until the bottom of the second inning for Peru State.

Jake Wright (Freeport, Fla.) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Ryan Morrissey (Alford, Fla.) entered the game as a courtesy runner for Wright and moved to second when Michael Melendez (Hollywood, Fla.) reached base on a Mustang error. Kadyn Glass (Redlands, Calif.) came to the plate and laid down a bunt, reaching first base on a wild throw. Morrissey and Melendez each advanced with Morrissey eventually scoring on the play with Melendez and Glass moving to third and second respectively. Tyler Croushorn (Omaha) grounded out, but Melendez was able to score and Glass moved to third. After another ground out, Randy Santiesteban (Hialeah, Fla.) reached on a Morningside bobble with Glass scoring to make it 3-2. Santiesteban stole second, but was stranded as the next batter ground out.
Neither team would score in the next two innings. In the top of the fifth, Morningside was able to tie it up by scoring one run.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Bobcats would score again. After a fly ball out, Santiesteban doubled over the right field fence. Tommy Barnes (Cussetta, Ga.) reached on an error with Santiesteban moving to third. Manny Estrada (Las Vega) came in to run for Barnes. Seth Walston (Hemet, Calif.) earned a walk to load the bases. Derrick Davis (Orange Park, Fla.) came to the plate and doubled to deep left to clear the bases. Davis would advance to third on a wild throw. Wright would ground out, but Davis would score and after the end of five, the 'Cats led 7-3.
Peru State would add some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Croushorn singled to shallow left and Joshua Alonzo (Riverside, Calif.) reached with a walk. After a strike out, Croushorn and Alonzo were successful in a double steal, advancing to third and second respectively. Barnes loaded the bases with a walk. Walston hit a sacrifice fly to left with Croushorn scoring. Davis singled thru the hole at shortstop to again load the bases. Wright doubled to deep right-center with Alonzo and Barnes scoring to make it Peru State 10-3 which would be the final score.

The Bobcats scored their ten runs on seven hits and had one error. Morningside helped Peru State's cause by having five errors. The Mustangs scored their three runs on five hits.
Croushorn and Davis each had two hits to lead Peru State. Davis and Wright led the team with three RBI apiece.

Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.) started the game on the mound for the Bobcats and pitched the first four and 1/3 innings. Klontz gave up four hits, three earned runs and struck out one. Vance Keller (Tacoma, Wash.) came in to relieve Klontz and pitched one and two-thirds innings, allowing just one hit while striking out one. Keller was credited for the win. Walston pitched the final inning and did not allow any hits.

MORNINGSIDE GAME ONE BOX SCORE

Morningside Game 2

The Bobcats took the early lead in the second game and then held on for the win.

In the bottom of the first, Croushorn was hit by a pitch to reach base. Croushorn advanced to second as Alonzo laid down a sacrifice bunt. After a strikeout, Barnes singled up the middle with Croushorn scoring making it 1-0 Peru State.

After a strikeout to start the bottom of the third, Alonzo reached on a walk. After a fly ball out, Barnes singled thru the hole at second with Alonzo moving to second. Walston singled up the middle with Alonzo scoring giving the 'Cats a 2-0 lead.

The Bobcats would score enough runs in the bottom of the fourth to give to ultimately give them enough for the win. Wright reached base on a Mustang error after which Morrissey came in to run for Wright. On a passed ball, Morrissey went to second. Melendez singled to shallow left with Morrissey staying at second. Glass singled to left, scoring Morrissey with Melendez advancing to third. Glass advanced to second on the play. Croushorn would reach base on a fielder's choice while Melendez was tagged out. Both base runners advanced on the play. Alonzo singled to shallow left with Glass and Croushorn scoring. Santiesteban singled with Alonzo moving to third. Barnes hit a sacrifice fly to left which was deep enough for Alonzo to score. Walston singled to shallow right with Santiesteban moving to third. Davis followed with a single, driving in Santiesteban and Walston advanced to second. Wright would reach on a fielder's choice, but Davis was forced out to end the inning. After four complete innings, Peru State led 7-0.

The Mustangs would try to make things interesting by scoring four runs in the top of the fifth to cut it to 7-4. In the top of the sixth, Morningside would add another run, to make it 7-5. In the top of the seventh, the Mustangs would score one run, but eventually left the bases loaded as Peru State won the game 7-6.

The 'Cats scored their seven runs on 11 hits and committed two errors. Morningside scored six runs on seven hits and only committed one error in the second game.

Barnes and Walston each had three hits in the second game win. Alonzo joined Barnes as each player had two RBI in the second win of the day.
It was the 30^th birthday for Peru State's winning pitcher, Tim Patterson (Valdosta, Ga.). Patterson gained his first win of the season as he threw four and two-thirds innings, giving up four hits, four runs – none earned and struck out three. Bryan Duncan (Seattle, Wash.) came in to relieve Patterson and pitched one and one-third innings. Duncan gave up two hits and one earned run. Aubrey DeZarn (Las Vegas) threw the seventh inning and gained the save. DeZarn gave up one hit, one run – not earned, and struck out one.

MORNINGSIDE GAME 2 BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

The Bobcats started their Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play on Saturday, March 15, when they traveled to Lamoni, Iowa, to take on the Graceland University Yellowjackets in a doubleheader. Going into the game, Graceland was 7-8 and it would be their first conference action as well.

On Wednesday, March 19, Peru State will host Evangel University from Springfield, Mo., in HAAC play. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Centennial Complex Field. Currently, the Crusaders are 10-8 overall and 1-1 in HAAC play.

Peru State will face its third straight HAAC foe on Saturday, March 22, when Culver-Stockton College visits the Bobcats. Game time for the double header is scheduled for 1 p.m. Prior to the start of play on Saturday, March 15, the Wildcats were 7-8 on the season.