(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State Bobcat softball team had an opportunity to sweep their Heart of America Athletic Conference opener on the road Friday at Missouri Valley College.
 
After taking the first game 3-2 in eight innings, the 'Cats took a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth only to see Mo Valley score four in the bottom of the inning to go on to a 6-4 win.
 
With the split, Peru State improved to 5-13 overall and are 1-1 in the Heart. The Vikings are 5-9 overall and also 1-1 in conference play.
 
First Game Action
 
Neither team scored through the first three innings until the Vikings scored two in the bottom of the fourth inning to lead 2-0.

 
In the top of the fifth, Leah Quick (Kansas City, Kan.) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Alexandra Kenney (Milford) came in to run for Quick and went to second when Cheyenne Dalrymple (Stockton, Calif.) singled thru the hole at shortstop. Erin Snyder (Omaha) came in to run for Dalrymple at that point. Peru State would execute a successful double steal with both base runners advancing safely. On a ground out by Hannah Mitchel (Nebraska City), Kenney would score and Snyder would go to third. Sydney Armbruster (Falls City) would get on base as she was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Halle Holloway (Waco) singled to shallow right-center to drive in Snyder with Armbruster moving to second. Both base runners would advance on the throw but were left stranded after the next two outs. But, the game was tied 2-2 at that point.
 
Peru State avoided trouble in the bottom of the fifth as the Vikings left two on base, including one at third.
 
The game would go into extra innings with the 'Cats scoring in the top of the eighth. After a ground out, Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) singled to left-center. Then, after another out, Kayla Guerrero (Omaha) singled up the middle with Ritchie advancing to second. Jenna Gruber (Lincoln) reached on a Mo Valley error to load the bases. Quick would be issued a walk and Ritchie scored to put the Bobcats on top 3-2.
 
The Vikings would go down in order in the bottom of the inning with Peru State getting their first conference win.
 
Peru State scored their three runs on eight hits and committed five errors. The Vikings scored their two runs on just four hits and had one error.

 
Holloway and Dalrymple both went 2 for 4 in the Bobcat win. One of Dalrymple's hits was a double. Holloway, Quick, and Mitchel were each credited with one RBI.
 
Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) was on the mound and tossed the entire 8 innings for her third win of the season. Reznicek allowed 4 hits, 2 runs – none earned, and struck out 4.

MO VALLEY GM ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
Mo Valley took the early lead by scoring one in the bottom of the first and then added another in the bottom of the third to lead 2-0.
 
Peru State would get all of their runs in the top of the fifth inning. Gruber started things off with a single up the middle and went to second on a ground out. Dalrymple got her second double of the day as she sent one deep down the left field line to drive in Gruber. Sara Trojan (Milford) came in to run for Dalrymple. Mitchel singled to third with Trojan advancing to third. Mitchel ended up on second on the defense's indifference. Armbruster walked to load the bases which forced a pitching change. Holloway reached on an error with Trojan scoring and keeping the bases loaded. At that point, the game was tied 2-2. Ritchie singled up the middle with Mitchel scoring to give Peru State the lead at 3-2. On a ground out, Armbruster would score to put the 'Cats up by two at 4-2. With two still on base, the next batter grounded out to end the scoring.
 
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the Vikings responded with four in the bottom of the inning and ended up winning 6-4.
 
The Vikings scored their six runs on 12 hits and had one error. Peru State scored their four runs on six hits and also had one error.

 
Holloway, Ritchie, Guerrero, Gruber, Dalrymple, and Mitchel each had one hit with Dalrymple's being a double. Holloway, Ritchie, Madison Bowman (Geneva), and Dalrymple each were credited with one RBI.
 
Taylor Moya started on the mound for the Bobcats and threw 4.2 innings and took the loss. Moya allowed 10 hits and 5 runs – 4 earned. Ritchie came in to relieve Moya and tossed 1.1 innings. Ritchie allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, and struck out 1.

MO VALLEY GM TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats are right back in action as they host a pair of non-conference double headers at the Centennial Complex Field on Saturday and Sunday.
 
In the frigid weather on Saturday, the 'Cats will be hosting the Ottawa University Braves at 1 p.m. The Braves come into Peru with a 14-13 record which includes winning their last five in a row with the last two being over Missouri Valley this past Wednesday.
 
On Sunday, Peru State will host Presentation College at 1 p.m. The Saints are 11-6 and have lost three in a row. Presentation will play at York College today before heading to Peru on Sunday.