(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State and Evangel University baseball teams split a pair of Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) games by identical scores of 5-4 at the Centennial Complex Field in Peru on Thursday.

With the split, Peru State's record is 10-5 overall and 3-1 in the HAAC in the Western Division, good for second after four games of play. Evangel is now 11-9 for the season and 2-2 in the HAAC's Eastern Division. All five teams in that division are 2-2.

Game One Action

The Crusaders took the early lead in the first game by scoring two runs in the top of the second and two in the top of the fourth to go up 4-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, after the first out, Jake Wright (Freeport, Fla.) doubled to get things going for Peru State. Manny Estrada (Las Vegas) was hit by a pitch with Kadyn Glass (Redlands, Calif.) following with a walk to load the bases. Tyler Croushorn (Omaha) came to the plate and doubled driving in Wright and Estrada to cut the deficit to 4-2. On Joshua Alonzo's (Riverside, Calif.) ground out, Glass scored making it 4-3 Evangel.

Peru State would take the lead in the bottom of fifth. Seth Walston (Hemet, Calif.) doubled to start the inning and went to third with a stolen base. Derrick Davis (Orange Park, Fla.) reached with a walk. Mark McGinnity (Pembrook Pines, Fla.) entered to run for Davis and eventually went second on the defense's indifference. After consecutive outs, Glass singled driving in both base runners to give the Bobcats the lead at 5-4.
Neither team would mount much of threat the rest of the game with Peru State prevailing 5-4.

The Bobcats scored their five runs on six hits and did not commit any errors. The Crusaders actually doubled the Peru State hitting total, but managed just four runs. Evangel did not commit any errors.

Glass was the only Bobcat with two hits while Glass and Croushorn were each credited with two RBI.

Vance Keller (Tacoma, Wash.) started on the mound for Peru State and pitched the first four and one-third innings. Keller gave up 11 hits, four earned runs, and struck out four. Tim Patterson (Valdosta, Ga.) came in to relieve Keller and went one and two-thirds innings. Patterson only allowed one hit and struck out two. Walston tossed the seventh inning and did not allow any hits.

Patterson was the winning pitcher while Walston was credited with the save.

EVANGEL GAME ONE BOX SCORE

Game Two Action

The second game was almost the reverse of the first game as the 'Cats took the initial lead, only to see it evaporate in the end.

In the bottom of the first, Michael Melendez (Hollywood, Fla.) homered to deep right-center on a 2-0 count to give Peru State the initial 1-0 lead.
The Bobcats would add runs in the bottom of the second. After the first out, Wright singled to short and Ryan Morrissey (Alford, Fla.) entered to pinch run for Wright. When Estrada singled to shallow left, Morrissey went to second. Glass followed with a double down the left field line to drive in Morrissey with Estrada moving to third. Croushorn was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Alonzo then reached first on the fielder's choice which allowed Estrada to score, putting Peru State up 3-0 after two complete innings.

In the top of the fourth, Evangel scored two to make it 3-2. Then, in the top of the sixth, the Crusaders would tie it with one run.

Peru State would come back in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead. Tommy Barnes (Cusseta, Ga.) singled down the left field line to get things started. On a wild pitch, Barnes advanced to second and Morrissey came in to pinch run for Barnes. On a fly ball out, Morrissey advanced to third. Then, Davis hit a sacrifice to center which allowed Morrissey to score giving Peru State a 4-3 lead.

Neither team would score in the seventh or eighth innings. In the top of the ninth, Evangel managed to score two runs and went on to win 5-4 after the Bobcats went down in order in the bottom half of the inning.

The 'Cats scored their four runs on five hits and committed four errors in the second game. Evangel had seven hits, scoring five runs, and had one miscue.

Melendez, Barnes, Wright, Estrada, and Glass each had one hit for Peru State. Alonzo, Melendez, Davis, and Glass each had one RBI.

Aubrey DeZarn (Las Vegas) threw the first eight innings for Peru State. DeZarn gave up five hits, three earned runs, and struck out six. Walston came in to throw the final inning and was tagged for the loss. Walston gave up two hits, two runs – one earned, and struck out one.

EVANGEL GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

Peru State is back in action on Friday as they host the Dordt College Defenders in two seven-inning contest beginning at 1 p.m. The non-conference game features teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference and the HAAC. The Defenders are 7-5.

On Saturday, the Bobcats will be back in HAAC play as the Culver-Stockton Wildcats will be visiting Peru. The double header with the 9-10 Wildcats is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Presently, the Wildcats are 2-2 in conference play.