(Peru, Neb.) – In a battle of teams trying to position themselves for the Heart of America Athletic Conference post-season tournament, the William Penn (Iowa) University softball team swept a double header at Peru State on Wednesday.
 
The Statesmen won the first game 8-6 in ten innings and then took the second game 6-1. William Penn improved to 16-23 overall and 5-7 in the Heart. The Bobcats fell to 10-32 overall and 2-12 in conference action.

 
First Game Action
 
The Statesmen scored a run in the top of both the first and second innings to lead 2-0 which held up until the bottom of the fifth inning.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Chelsea Reznicek (Omaha) started things off for the Bobcats with a single thru the hole at shortstop. Halle Holloway (Waco) followed with a double to deep left-center with Reznicek stopping at third. After two outs, Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) doubled to deep left to drive in both base runners to tie the game at 2-2.
 
William Penn would add a run in the top of the sixth to regain the lead at 3-2.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, after an out, Hailey Davis (Lincoln) came in to pinch hit and singled thru the hole at second base. Sara Trojan (Milford) re-entered to run for Davis at that point. Leah Quick (Kansas City, Kan.) stepped to the plate and on a 2-2 count hit a home run over the center field fence to put the 'Cats in the lead at 4-3.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Statesmen would tie it up at 4-4.
 
Peru State had an opportunity to win it in the bottom of the seventh as the first two base runners reached and moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. After another walk, a pinch hitter struck out and the next batter flied out in foul territory to end the Bobcats' chance to win it in regulation.

 
After stopping the Statesmen in the top of the eighth, again Peru State had a chance to win it in the bottom of the inning, but left two aboard.
 
After both teams went down in order in the ninth, the international scoring rule was applied with each team having a runner start on second base. William Penn took advantage of it as they put up four runs on four hits to lead 8-4.
 
In the bottom of the inning, the 'Cats tried to rally. After two outs, Holloway singled up the middle with Madison Bowman (Geneva) moving to third after starting at second base. Sydney Armbruster (Falls City) came to the plate and doubled to deep left to bring in both base runners to make it 8-6. Armbruster would go to third on the play, but the next Bobcat grounded out to end the game.
 
William Penn scored their eight runs on 15 hits and committed no errors. Peru State scored their six runs on 14 hits and had three errors.
 
Holloway and Ritchie each had three hits for Peru State while Kayla Guerrero (Omaha), Quick, and Reznicek each had two hits. Armbruster, Ritchie, and Quick were each credited with two RBI.
 
Ritchie was on the mound and threw the first 9.2 innings and took the loss. She allowed 15 hits, 8 runs – 6 earned, and struck out 3. Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) came in to get the final out of the game.
 
Second Game Action
 
It was a pitcher's duel through the first four innings before the 'Cats scored in the bottom of the fourth.
 
After an out, Guerrero singled to shallow right-center with Kenney coming in to run. Ritchie followed with a double to right-center and Kenney scored to put Peru State up 1-0 at that point.
 
In the top of the fifth, the Statesmen scored one run to tie it. It was the top of the sixth that was the undoing of the Bobcats as William Penn scored five runs on seven hits to extend their lead to 6-1 which was the final score.
 
The Statesmen scored their six runs on 14 hits and had one error. Peru State scored their one run on five hits and had two errors.
 
Ritchie went two for two and had the lone RBI for Peru State. Holloway, Guerrero, and Chelsea Reznicek each had one hit.
 
Nicole Reznicek started the game and was tagged for the loss. Reznicek through six innings and allowed 13 hits, six earned runs, and struck out two. Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) threw the final inning and allowed just one hit.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats have a pair of games this weekend. On Saturday, they will be hosting Graceland (Iowa) University in a Heart double header beginning at 2 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 10-18 overall and are 3-13 in conference play.
 
On Sunday, Peru State will travel to face Hastings College in a non-conference double header scheduled to start at 2 p.m. The Broncos are 28-14 on the season and are 5-7 in their conference – the Great Plains Athletic Conference.