(Peru, Neb.) – Two years ago on the comparable Saturday in Peru, it was 32 degrees. This past Saturday, was 63 degrees. Despite the change in the weather, the Bobcat baseball team came out with the same result, a double header sweep to open Heart of America Athletic Conference play as the 'Cats topped visiting Graceland University at the Centennial Complex Field.
Peru State won the first game 4-0 and came back with a 9-3 win in the second game. With the wins, the Bobcats improve to 8-6 on the season and 2-0 in the Heart. Graceland fell to 5-13 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
Game One Action The first game was primarily a pitcher's duel as all of the scoring came in just one-half inning. Both teams did have a couple of other opportunities, but all of the scoring came in the bottom of the second.
Miguel Navarro (4) comes off the mound to pick off a hit and tosses to Jordan Silva at
first base for an out. Mark McGinnity (13) watches the play. Navarro pitched a two-hit
shutout for the game one win over Graceland.Scout Villanueva (Bakersfield, Calif.) started the bottom half of the second for Peru State with a double to deep left-center.
Adam Quintana (Highland, Calif.) was hit by a pitch and
Kyle Killen (Commerce City, Colo.) entered the game to run for Villanueva. Both runners would advance on a passed ball.
Seth Walston (Hemet, Calif.) would double to deep left-center driving in both runners.
Mark McGinnity (Pembrook Pines, Fla.) would be hit by a pitch to put to base runners on.
Jordan Silva (Lynnwood, Wash.) would double to deep left-center scoring Walston with McGinnity stopping at third.
Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.) singled to right to score McGinnity. While the Bobcats led 4-0 at that point, they left the bases loaded.
However, that was all the scoring needed as Graceland only challenged in one inning, but the Yellowjackets were held scoreless.
Peru State scored their four runs on seven hits and committed no errors. Graceland was held to two hits and had two miscues.
Silva went two for three with one RBI while Walston was credited with a team-high two RBI.
Miguel Navarro (San Jacinto, Calif.) pitched a complete game for the win. Navarro allowed just two hits and struck out five.
GRACELAND GAME ONE GAMEBOOK 
Joshua Alonzo slides into third with a triple to start the second game as assistant
coach J.L. Thomason carefully watching the play and the callGame Two Action The Bobcats did all the damage they really needed to win in the bottom of the first inning.
Joshua Alonzo (Riverside, Calif.) tripled down the left-field line and would come in to score when Killen also tripled, this time down the right-field line. Santiesteban would single to drive in Killen to make it 2-0. Villanueva hit a home run over the right-field fence on a 0-1 count and the 'Cats led 4-0.
In the bottom of the third, Santiesteban doubled deep down the left-field line. On the second fly ball out, Santiesteban moved to third and would score later when Walston singled to right. At the end of three, Peru State led 5-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, after the first out, Santiesteban bunted and reached on a base hit. Villanueva followed with a double down the right-field line with Santiesteban stopping a third.
Brandon Melendez (Miramar, Fla.) entered to run for Villanueva at that point. After a pitching change, Santiesteban scored on a wild pitch to put the Bobcats up 6-0 after five.
Kyle Killen slides into third for a triple which immediately followed Alonzo's triple to
start the first inning of the second game for Peru StateGraceland would get on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth as they would plate two to cut the lead to 6-2.
In the bottom of the inning, Silva would start things off with a walk and went to second when Klontz bunted and reached base on a Yellowjacket error. Alonzo singled to the infield to load the bases. Killen double deep own the right-field line to drive in Silva and Klontz with Alonzo advancing to third. Santiesteban reached on a walk to again load the bases. Villanueva singled to shallow center with Alonzo scoring and Santiesteban being forced out at second. That would end Peru State's scoring, but after six innings, the 'Cats led 9-2.
Graceland would add a run in the top of the eighth, but could not plate any more in the ninth, giving Peru State the 9-3 win.
Peru State scored their nine runs on 12 hits and had one error. The Yellowjackets scored their three runs on nine hits and also had one error.
Alonzo, Santiesteban, and Villanueva each had three hits in the win. Killen added two hits and had three RBI as did Villanueva.
Quintana picked up the win for the Bobcats as he tossed eight innings allowing eight hits, three earned runs, and struck out six.
Daniel Muniz (Miami, Fla.) tossed the final inning and allowed a hit.
Adam Quintana earned the second win of the day
against Graceland after pitching eight strong inningsGRACELAND GAME TWO GAMEBOOK Upcoming Games Mother Nature is once again wreaking some havoc with the Bobcat baseball upcoming games. With rain and cold being anticipated in Missouri this week, the conference double header with Evangel University has been moved to St. Patrick's Day beginning at 1 p.m. This double header was scheduled for Thursday. The Crusaders are 9-11 on the season and split their conference opener so are 1-1 in the Heart.
The double header added with Grand View University which were scheduled for Monday and are scheduled to be played in Peru on Thursday, March 19, beginning at 2 p.m. The Vikings, who will be joining the conference next season have played several games without all of the scores being recorded at this point.
On Saturday, March 21, the 'Cats will be on the road again for another conference double header, this time travelling to Canton, Mo., to face Culver-Stockton College beginning at 1 p.m. The Wildcats are 4-15 on the season and 0-2 in the Heart.
