(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State baseball team traveled to Lamoni, Iowa, on Saturday, March 15, and picked up a double header win over the Graceland University Yellowjackets. The 7-0 and 7-2 wins were the start of Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play for both teams.
With the wins, Peru State improved to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in the HAAC. Graceland dropped to 0-2 in the HAAC and 7-10 overall.

Game One Action

Tyler Croushorn (Omaha) got things going in the top of the first inning by singling to left-center and went to second when Joshua Alonzo (Riverside, Calif.) singled to right-center. The runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Tommy Barnes (Cusseta, Ga.) singled to left, driving in Croushorn to put the 'Cats up 1-0. Alonzo advanced to third on the play and later scored when Seth Walston (Hemet, Calif.) hit a sacrifice fly to center. At the end of the first inning, the Bobcats led 2-0.

In the top of the second, after a ground out, Kadyn Glass (Redlands, Calif.) was hit by a pitch. Glass advanced to second as Croushorn reached base on a wild throw and Glass would move on to third on the same play. On Alonzo's sacrifice fly to left, Glass scored to give Peru State a 3-0 advantage.
The Bobcats would add runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings. Michael Melendez (Hollywood, Fla.) tripled to deep left-center and Glass brought him in on a sacrifice fly to right.

After an out in the top of the fifth, Walston singled to right and advanced to second with a stolen base. Walston would go to third on a wild pitch and would later score when Jake Wright (Freeport, Fla.) reached base on a Graceland error. After five innings, Peru State led 5-0.

Peru State would add two more runs in the top of the seventh. Barnes single to center and went to second when Walston singled to left-center. Ryan Morrissey (Alford, Fla.) came in to run for Barnes at that point. After the next Bobcat struck out, Wright was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Mark McGinnity (Pembrook Pines, Fla.) entered to run for Wright. Melendez singled to left driving in Barnes and Walston for the Bobcats' final two runs of the game.

The 'Cats scored their seven runs on ten hits and did not commit any errors. Graceland managed just three hits and committed five errors.

Barnes, Walston, and Melendez each collected two hits to lead Peru State. Melendez led the team with two RBI.
Miguel Navarro (San Jacinto, Calif.) threw the complete seven-inning shutout. Navarro scattered three hits and struck out seven on his way to the win.

GRACELAND GAME ONE BOX SCORE

Game Two Action

No play-by-play was available for the second game of the contest.

Peru State scored one in the top of the first and one in the top of the third to lead 2-0 before the Yellowjackets would score one in the bottom of the fourth, making it 2-1.

In the top of the fifth, the 'Cats exploded for five runs to go up 7-1. Graceland would add one in the bottom of the ninth, but Peru State prevailed for the 7-2 victory.

The Bobcats scored their seven runs on 11 hits and committed three errors. Graceland scored its two runs on eight hits while committing eight miscues.

Walston led Peru State with three hits while Randy Santiesteban (Hialeah, Fla.) and Glass each had two. Alonzo led the team with two RBI.
Manny Arcineiga (Hemet, Calif.) was credited with the win after throwing the first seven innings. Arciniega gave up four hits, one earned run, and struck
out seven.

Brent Brown (Hemet, Calif.) pitched the final two innings. Brown gave up four hits, one earned run, and struck out two.

GRACELAND GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

The Bobcats host a pair of HAAC double headers this week at the Centennial Complex Field.

On Wednesday, the 'Cats are scheduled to host the Evangel University Crusaders with the double header scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Peru State will be hosting the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College in a double header, also beginning at 1 p.m.