The Bobcat baseball team had to come from behind in the last inning of each game to gain a pair of wins over the visiting Dordt College Defenders on Friday at the Centennial Complex Field. Peru State won the first game 7-6 in eight innings and then won the second game 8-7.
With the double header sweep, Peru State improved to 12-5 overall while the Defenders fell to 7-7.
Neither team scored in the first inning, but both teams scored in the second. In the top of the inning, Dordt plated one run to go up 1-0.
In the bottom of the second,
Tommy Barnes (Cusseta, Ga.) singled and went to second when
Seth Walston (Hemet, Calif.) was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on the defense's indifference. After a strikeout, Barnes was able to score on a fielder's obstruction with Walston advancing to third. On
Mark McGinnity's
(Pembrook Pines, Fla.) ground out, Walston was able to score to give Peru State a 2-1 lead.
Kadyn Glass (Redlands, Calif.) would start the bottom of the third with a triple to deep right-center and scored when
Tyler Croushorn (Omaha) ground out. At the end of three, the Bobcats led 3-1.
In the top of the fourth, the Defenders were able to regain the lead by scoring four runs to go ahead 5-3.
In the bottom of the fifth,
Rafael Ruiz (Opa Locka, Fla.) was hit by a pitch and
Ryan Morrissey (Alford, Fla.) came in to run for Ruiz. Glass singled to the infield with Morrissey advancing to second. Both runners advanced win Croushorn laid down a sacrifice bunt. On
Joshua Alonzo's
(Riverside, Calif.) sacrifice fly to center, Morrissey was able to score to get the 'Cats within one at 5-4.
Dordt would add a run in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 6-4.
After stopping the Defenders in the top of the seventh, Peru State rallied in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Glass doubled to left-center and then advanced to third with a stolen base. Croushorn got on board after being hit by a pitch. Alonzo bunted and reached first while driving in Glass and Croushorn advancing to second. After a strikeout, Croushorn and Alonzo performed a double steal to get to third and second respectively. When Barnes flied out to deep right, Croushorn scored to tie it at 6-6 and forced extra innings.
The Defenders would leave a runner on base in the top of the eighth, giving Peru State an opportunity to potentially win it in the bottom of the inning.
After a ground out, McGinnity singled to shallow left. After a strikeout for the second out, Glass was hit by a pitch which advanced McGinnity to second. Croushorn provided the game-winning single to shallow center, driving home McGinnity for the 7-6 Peru State win.
The Bobcats scored their seven runs on seven hits and committed no errors. Dordt actually outhit Peru State as they had ten hits for their six runs and committed one error.
Alonzo and McGinnity each had two hits in the first game win while Croushorn and Alonzo each having two RBI.
Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.) was credited for the win for Peru State as he threw the entire eight innings. Klontz gave up ten hits, six earned runs, and struck out one.
DORDT GAME ONE BOX SCORE
Game Two Action
Peru State took the early lead in the second game only to see the Defenders tie it up late in the game.
The Bobcats got on the board first in the bottom of first inning. Croushorn started things off with a single to right. Alonzo's double moved Croushorn to third. On a passed ball, Croushorn scored with Alonzo moving to third.
Michael Melendez (Hollywood, Fla.) singled to right bringing Alonzo home. After an out, Walston singled down the right field line with Melendez going to third on the hit.
Jake Wright (Freeport, Fla.) singled thru the hole at shortstop to bring Melendez home and at the end of one Peru State was up 3-0.
The Defenders scored one in the top of the second and one in the top of the third to cut the lead to 3-2. Neither team would score in the fourth and Dordt would take the lead in the top half of the fifth inning by scoring three runs to lead 5-3.
The 'Cats would get the bats going in the bottom of the fifth and would eventually regain the lead.
Alonzo singled thru the hole at shortstop to start the inning and went to second when Melendez singled. Both runners would score when Barnes hit a double to deep left-center to tie the game at 5-5. Walston followed with a double of his own to drive in Barnes, putting the 'Cats up 6-5 at that point. After a strikeout, McGinnity singled to left with Walston advancing to third. McGinnity would be out stretching for second. On a wild pitch, Walston would score to go up 7-5 after five complete innings.
In the top of the sixth, Dordt would score two runs to tie it at 7-7. Peru State could not regain the lead in the bottom of the inning, but did hold the Defenders from scoring in the top of the seventh as Dordt left two runners on base.
In the bottom of the seventh, after two outs, Walston reached on a walk and then went to second with a stolen base. Manny Estrada
(Las Vegas, Nev.) singled thru the hole at shortstop to drive in Walston for the game-winning run.
Peru State scored their eight runs on 11 hits and committed one error. The Defenders scored their seven runs on nine hits and had one miscue.
Alonzo, Barnes, and Walston each had two hits with Barnes leading the team with two RBI.
JaQuan Brown (Pensacola, Fla.) started the game for Peru State and pitched the first three innings. Brown gave up two hits, two earned runs, and struck out two. Melendez threw the final four innings and gained the win. Melendez gave up seven hits, five runs – three earned, and struck out five.
DORDT GAME TWO BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Peru State will host Culver-Stockton College on Saturday in a Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) double header beginning at 1 p.m. Coming into the contest, the Wildcats were 9-10 overall and 2-2 in the HAAC while playing in the Eastern Division.
On Tuesday, March 25, the Bobcats will travel to Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo., where they will take on the Eagles in a HAAC double header beginning at 1 p.m.
Then, on Wednesday, March 26, Peru State will play a nine-inning contest against Nebraska Wesleyan University in Peru with the game beginning at 2 p.m.
