(Peru, Neb.) – It was not the start to the Heart of America Athletic Conference softball schedule that Peru State had wanted as they dropped a double header to Evangel University in Springfield, Mo., on Saturday.
The Crusaders took the first game 8-4 and then shut out the Bobcats in the second game 8-0 which ended in the fifth inning.
With the wins, Evangel is 2-0 in conference play and is 8-5 overall. The 'Cats fell to 0-2 in conference action and fell below .500 at 7-9 on the season.
Game One Action Evangel took an early 2-0 lead before Peru State scored in the top of the second inning to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Crusaders exploded for five runs in the bottom of the second to take a 7-1 lead.
Peru State managed to score two in the top of the fourth to make it 7-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, Evangel added one more run to lead 8-4.
The Bobcats added one run in the top of the sixth but could not plate any more runs.
Evangel scored its eight runs on 11 hits while the Bobcats scored their four runs on ten hits.
Leah Quick (Kanas City, Mo.), Sydney Webb (Lincoln), and
Brittany McNeese (Gretna) each had two hits to lead Peru State. Quick,
Molly Holbrook (Lincoln), Meghan McPolin (Orland Park, Ill.), and
Brittany Harward (Orem, Utah) each were credited with one RBI.
Lauren Johnson (Seward) started on the mound and only tossed one and one-third innings for the loss. Johnson gave up nine hits, seven earned runs, and struck out one.
Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) threw the final four and two-third innings allowing just two hits, one earned run, and struck out two.
EVANGEL GAME ONE BOX SCORE Game Two Action A good pitching performance by the Evangel pitcher kept Peru State from having many base runners as only four Bobcat reached base in the second game.
Evangel scored one in the first, one in the second, and six in the third in route to the 8-0 win which ended after five innings with the mercy rule invoked.
The Crusaders scored their eight runs on nine hits and committed one error. Peru State had three hits and committed two errors.
Harward had two of Peru State's three hits while Webb had the other.
McNeese tossed the first three innings and allowed nine hits, eight runs – seven earned, and struck out two.
Kayla Guerrero (Omaha) threw the final inning and did not allow any hits.
EVANGEL GAME TWO BOX SCORE Upcoming Games Mother Nature permitting, the Bobcats are scheduled to host Haskell Indian Nations University Tuesday in a double header beginning at 3 p.m. Presently, the Fighting Indians are 0-4 on the season.
On Wednesday, Peru State is scheduled to travel to Langston, Okla., to face Langston University in a double header scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The Lions are off to a good start and are 15-8 on the season with a number of games still not statistically recorded.
This weekend, the Bobcats are hosting a pair of games. On Saturday, Peru State will host conference foes Baker University beginning at 2 p.m. Then, on Sunday, Presentation College (S.D.) will be the opponent, also beginning at 2 p.m.
