(Peru, Neb.) – After dropping the first game in the last inning, the Peru State softball team rebounded to win the second game of their double header on Wednesday in big fashion. The Bobcats fell to the visiting Bethany College Swedes 10-9 in game one, but ran past the Swedes in the second game, winning 13-5 in five innings.

With the split, the 'Cats are now 14-9 on the season while Bethany is now 13-16.

Game One Action

After Bethany scored a run in the top of the first inning, the Bobcats came back to take the lead in the bottom half of the first.

After the first out of the inning, Traci Bohlmeyer (Fairbury) reached on a walk. Anna O'Gorman (Omaha) came to the plate and on the first pitch she saw, homered over the center field fence to give Peru State a 2-1 lead. After a strike out, Halle Holloway (Waco) homered to extend the lead to 3-1.

The 'Cats would extend their lead in the bottom of the second. Toni Blackwell (Papillion) was hit by a pitch to get on board. Abbie Moser (Lincoln) doubled to deep left-center to drive in Blackwell. Bohlmeyer again got on board with a walk with O'Gorman up next with the same result to load the bases. On a wild pitch, Moser scored with the runners advancing. On another wild pitch, Bohlmeyer scored in a close play at the plate and eventually at the end of the second inning, the Bobcats were up 6-1.
Neither team scored in the next two innings. Bethany came back to score four runs in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit to 6-5. Then, in the top of the sixth, the Swedes plated three runs to take the lead at 8-6.

In the bottom of the sixth, Peru State was able to regain the lead. After two outs in the bottom of the inning, when it looked a little bleak, Holloway got on board with a single to shallow left. Molly Holbrook (Lincoln) reached base on a Bethany error with Holloway initially advancing to second and then on to third on the same play. Jenna Gruber (Lincoln) came in to run for Holbrook. Sydney Webb (Lincoln) came to bat and hit a three-run home run over the left field fence on a 1-0 count. It was Webb's first home run of her Bobcat career. Going into the last inning, the 'Cats were back on top 9-8.

In the top of the seventh, Bethany took the lead again by scoring two runs. As the 'Cats came to the plate in the bottom of the inning, they found themselves trailing 10-9. Peru State had opportunities to score in the inning, but left two on base and dropped the contest.

Peru State scored its nine runs on six hits and committed five errors in the contest. The Swedes got its ten runs on 13 hits and had two errors.
Holloway was the only Bobcat with two hits with four others having one apiece. Webb led the team with three RBI with O'Gorman being credited with two.

Lauren Johnson (Seward) pitched the first five and one-third innings for the 'Cats. Johnson gave up nine hits, eight runs – only one earned, and struck out one. Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) came in to relieve Johnson and threw the last one and two-thirds innings. Reznicek gave up four hits and two earned runs, while being tagged for the loss.

BETHANY GAME ONE BOX SCORE

Game Two Action

The second game started eerily similar to the first game as Bethany scored the first run in the top of the first with Peru State coming back to plate three in the bottom half of the inning.

After the first out in the Bobcats' half of the inning, Leah Quick (Kansas City, Mo.) singled up the middle. O'Gorman reached on a walk with Quick advancing to second. Cheyenne Dalrymple (Stockton, Calif.) singled to shallow center to load the bases. Quick was forced out at home as Holloway reached first on a fielder's choice. Holbrook was issued a walk, driving in O'Gormon with the other runners advancing. Webb followed with a single to shallow center, driving in both Dalrymple and Holloway to give Peru State a 3-1 lead.

In the top of the second inning, the Swedes scored two to tie it at 3-3.

Later, in the bottom of the third, the 'Cats took the lead what would be for good. O'Gorman doubled to deep right-center and later scored when Dalrymple singled to center. Dalrymple advanced to second on the throw trying to get O'Gorman out. Holloway followed with a single with Dalrymple moving to third. After a ground out, which allowed Holloway to move to second, another out followed. With two down, Devon Massengale (Elkhorn) reached on a walk to load the bases. Blackwell was hit by a pitch and drove in Dalrymple for the second run of the inning. Miranda Lyndes (Peyton, Colo.) singled to right-center to drive in Holloway and Massengale making it 7-3 Peru State.
In the bottom of the fourth, O'Gorman reached on a walk and went to second on a ground out. Then, O'Gorman put herself in scoring position by stealing third. On a sacrifice fly by Holloway, O'Gorman scored. After the inning was over, the 'Cats led 8-3.

In the top of the fifth, the Swedes cut the deficit to 8-5. In the bottom of the inning, after two outs, Peru State went on a scoring barrage. Quick singled to shallow right and went to third when O'Gorman singled to deep right-center. O'Gorman went to second with a stolen base and Dalrymple loaded the bases with a walk. Gruber entered to pinch run for Dalrymple. When Holloway reached base on a Bethany error, Quick scored with the other runners advancing. Rebecca Perez (Phoenix) singled thru the hole at second base while driving in O'Gorman and Gruber with Holloway to going to third. Perez went to second on the throw. At that point, Peru State was up 11-5. Webb came to the plate and singled to shallow left field, driving in two runs, making it 13-5 and the 'Cats won when the mercy rule was invoked.

Quick, O'Gorman, Dalrymple, and Webb each had two hits to lead Peru State. Webb was credited with four RBI while Lyndes, Holloway, and Perez each adding two.

Massengale earned the win as she threw five innings. Massengale scattered six hits, gave up five runs – four earned, and struck out two.

BETHANY GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

On Wednesday, Peru State is hosting Concordia University for a double header at 3 p.m. Currently, the Bulldogs are 9-0 having most recently played in the Tucson Invitational Games where they faced similar opponents that Peru State played. In the initial NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll of the season released on Tuesday, Concordia was among the teams receiving votes.

The Bobcats will right back in action on Thursday when they begin Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play by hosting Evangel University. Presently, the Crusaders are 13-5 on the season. The double header is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. which is a different time than what was earlier planned which allows Evangel to get back on the road earlier.

After a day off, Peru State will be back in HAAC action on Saturday when they host MidAmerica Nazarene University. The double header with the 7-3 Pioneers is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.