(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State softball team went to the home field of a 10-4 opponent and after a rain delay, upset MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) 3-2 in the first game Saturday in Olathe, Kan. The Pioneers responded with a 9-0 five-inning win in the second game.
 
With the split, MNU is now 11-5 and 4-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference while the 'Cats are now 7-19 and 2-4 in conference action.

 
Game One Highlights
 
The teams each scored in the same innings – the fourth and the seventh.
 
After an out in the top of the fourth, Sydney Armbruster (Falls City) singled to center and then went to second when Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) singled to center as well. Kayla Guerrero (Omaha) reached on a Pioneer bobble to load the bases. Cheyenne Dalrymple (Stockton, Calif.) singled to center to drive in Armbruster and kept the bases loaded. Ritchie would later score on a wild pitch and Peru State had a 2-0 lead at that point.
 
The Pioneers would score one in the bottom of the fourth and did leave two on base to cut the lead to 2-1.
 
In the top of the seventh, Dalrymple doubled down the left field line. Alexandra Kenney (Milford) came in to run for Dalrymple at that point. Jenna Gruber (Lincoln) hit a sacrifice bunt which allowed Kenney to move to third. Chelsea Reznicek (Omaha) bunted and reached first on a fielder's choice with Kenney scoring on the play. That would be the only run the 'Cats would score, but they led 3-1.
 
MNU would score on in the bottom of the inning, but could not push across any more runs as the Bobcats prevailed 3-2.

 
Peru State scored its three runs on five hits and had one error. The Pioneers scored their two runs on their seven hits and committed two errors.
 
Armbruster and Dalrymple each had two hits in the win. Dalrymple and Chelsea Reznicek were each credited with one RBI.
 
Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) picked up the win with a complete game. Reznicek allowed 7 hits, 2 earned runs, and struck out 5.

MNU GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Game Two Highlights
 
Peru State could only muster one hit in the second game as the Pioneers won 9-0 in five innings.
 
MNU scored their nine runs on 13 hits and did not commit an error. The Bobcats lone hit was a single by Halle Holloway (Waco).  Peru State did not commit an error.
 
Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) started the game and lasted 1.1 innings while suffering the loss. Moya allowed 9 hits and 6 earned runs. Ritchie threw the final 2.2 innings and allowed 4 hits, 3 earned runs, and struck out 2.

MNU GM 2 GAME BOOK

 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats have a busy week if Mother Nature cooperates. Peru State will play on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
 
On Wednesday, the Bobcats will host Heart opponent Baker (Kan.) University in a double header scheduled for 2 p.m. The Wildcats, from Baldwin City, are 22-13 overall and are 2-2 in the Heart. Most recently, they split a double header with MidAmerica Nazarene.
 
Peru State will have a non-conference double header at home on Friday when they host Grace University from Omaha. The Royals are in their inaugural season of softball and are coached by former Bobcat softball player Kathleen Brown. Grace is currently 3-26 on the season.
 
Then, on Saturday, the 'Cats will be in Atchison, Kan., to face Heart opponent Benedictine College in a double header scheduled to start at 1 p.m. The Ravens are 11-13 on the season and are 1-3 in Heart play.