(Peru, Neb.) – After allowing Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) to score eight in the bottom of the first, the Bobcat baseball team scored 14 unanswered runs in route to a 16-8 victory in Lincoln Wednesday afternoon.
 
 

With the non-conference win, Peru State improved to 29-12 overall while the Prairie Wolves fell to 9-19 on the season.
 
Game Action
 
The Bobcats were on the board in the top of the first inning. After the first out, Kyle Killen (Commerce City, Colo.) reached on a fielding error, but was later out at second when Randy Santiesteban (Hialeah, Fla.) reached on a fielder's choice. Scout Villanueva (Bakersfield, Calif.) homered to left center and the 'Cats led 2-0 at that point.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan would explode for what would be their only runs in the bottom of the first inning to go ahead 8-2.
 
In the top of the second, Peru State would nearly tie the score. After an out, Mark McGinnity (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) doubled down the left field line and later went to third on a passed ball. Jordan Silva (Lynnwood, Wash.) singled to center field to drive in McGinnity. Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.) reached on a fielding error with Silva stopping at second. Joshua Alonzo (Riverside, Calif.) reached with a bunt single to load the bases. Silva would then score on a wild pitch with the other base runners advancing one base. Killen would reach base again on a throwing error with Klontz scoring. Santiesteban would hit a sacrifice fly with Alonzo scoring. Villanueva singled to right field and went to second on a throwing error with Killen scoring. At the end of the Bobcats' half inning, they had scored five runs on four hits and were aided by three NWU miscues. At that point, NWU still led 8-7.
 
After a scoreless third inning, Peru State was able to take the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Alonzo started with a walk and went to third when Killen singled through the left side. Killen then stole second. On Santiesteban' s ground out, Alonzo scored to tie the game and Killen went to third. Villanueva hit a sacrifice fly which brought Killen home to give Peru State the lead at that point. Adam Quintana (Highland, Calif.) singled to left field and went to third when Seth Walston (Hemet, Calif.) singled through the right side. Walston would advance to second on a wild pitch. McGinnity followed with a single to right field with both Quintana and Walston scoring. When Peru State was done, the 'Cats had scored four runs on five hits and led 11-8.
 
In the top of the sixth, Villanueva singled to right center to start the inning. Brandon Melendez (Miramar, Fla.) entered to run for Villanueva and later went to second on a wild pitch. Quintana doubled down the left field line to drive in Melendez. When the Bobcats were done, they had increased their lead to 12-8.

 
Peru State would add two more runs in the top of the seventh. After the first two outs, Killen walked. Santiesteban followed with a double down the left field line with Killen advancing to third. Villanueva doubled to right field with both Killen and Santiesteban scoring. The 'Cats led 14-8 at that point.
 
In the top of the eighth, the Bobcats would add some more runs. Walston walked to start the inning and McGinnity hit a double to deep left center which was enough for Walston to score. Grant Hindman (Omaha) entered as a pinch hitter and singled through the left side with McGinnity stopping at third. After the first out, Alonzo hit a sacrifice fly which was deep enough for McGinnity to score. That would end up being the final scoring of the game as Peru State led 16-8.
 
The Bobcats scored their 16 runs on 19 hits and had one error. Nebraska Wesleyan scored their eight runs on 12 hits and had five miscues.
 
Villanueva went five for five in the game while driving in five RBI to lead both teams. McGinnity was four for four and drive in three RBI. Killen, Quintana, and Silva each added two hits.
 
 

Despite the disastrous first inning, Timothy Patterson (Valdosta, Ga.) survived on the mound and ended up with the win for Peru State, his third of the season. Patterson pitched five innings and allowed nine hits, eight runs – seven earned, and struck out one for the win. Angus Miller (Fontana, Calif.) threw three innings and only allowed two hits while striking out two. Santiesteban tossed the last inning and allowed one hit while striking out two.

NWU BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats will be back in conference action this Friday and Saturday at the Centennial Complex Field. Peru State will be hosting Western Division opponent Baker University in a pair of double headers beginning at 1 p.m. Currently, the Wildcats are 4-14 in conference play and are 15-27 overall. Baker is currently on a six-game losing streak.
 
With three wins against Baker, the 'Cats would win the Heart of America Athletic Conference title which would give them a berth into the NAIA championships.