(Peru, Neb.) – The stars were aligned for the Peru State baseball team this weekend as they won three of four games with the league-leading Avila University Eagles at the Centennial Complex Field in Peru.
 
In Friday games, Avila took the first one 9-0 while Peru State came back from four down to win the second game 5-4 with a walk-off run in the bottom of the seventh. This snapped the Eagles' five-game winning streak, as well as a 16-game conference win streak.
 
On Saturday, Peru State took the first game 7-3 and then won the fourth game 9-8 after breaking a tie in the bottom of the sixth.
 
With the three wins, the Bobcats improved to 18-27 overall and 13-15 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The wins almost locked up a berth for the 'Cats in the post-season tournament.
 
Avila fell to 30-21 overall and 21-7 in the Heart and still remains in the driver's seat for the top seed in the post-season tournament which will be held May 4-9 in Joplin, Mo.
 
Friday Game One Action
 
For the Bobcats in the first game, the action was limited as Peru State was held to one hit which came in the first inning.
 
Avila scored two in the first, two in the fourth, and then added five in the top of the sixth for their 9-0 win.
 
The Eagles scored their nine runs on ten hits and committed no errors. Peru State had one hit and three errors.
 
Edwin Rodriguez (Ponce, Puerto Rico) had the lone hit for the Bobcats.
 
Daniel Muniz (Miami Gardens, Fla.) started the game for Peru State and was tagged for the loss. Muniz threw five innings and allowed six hits, six runs – four earned, and struck out two. Matthew Sontag (Davie, Fla.) tossed the final two innings. Sontag allowed four hits, three earned runs, and struck out one.

AVILA FRIDAY GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Friday Game Two Action
 
The Eagles got on the board first in almost a similar fashion as the first game as they scored two in the first and then two more in the fifth.

 
In the bottom of the fifth, Peru State finally got on the board. Caleb Dameron (Henderson, Colo.) reached on a walk and went to second on a Kadyn Glass (Redlands, Calif.) single. Dameron was then thrown out trying to stretch the play to third. Rodriguez reached on an error with Glass eventually stopped at third on the play. Mark McGinnity (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) singled up the middle with Glass scoring Peru State's first run of the day. Kyle Killen (Commerce City, Colo.) singled to load the bases. After an out, Jordan Silva (Lynnwood, Wash.) doubled deep down the left-field line to drive in all three base runners and suddenly it was a tie game.
 
Peru State did give up an opportunity to score in the bottom of the sixth, but made up for it in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Killen reached on a walk and went to second when Sterling Rupp (Grand Island) laid down a sacrifice bunt. Silva was given an intentional walk which brought Chet Brown (Redlands, Calif.) to the plate. Brown produced a single to shallow right which was deep enough to score Killen to give the 'Cats the win.
 
McGinnity went three for four to lead the team with Glass and Brown each having two hits. Silva led the team with three RBI while McGinnity and Brown were each credited with one RBI.
 
Andrew Robinson (Imperial Beach, Calif.) started the game the 'Cats and threw 4 innings. Robinson allowed 6 hits and 4 earned runs. Thomas Hernandez (Hollister, Calif.) threw 0.1 innings and was replaced by Christian Sanchez (Ponce, Puerto Rico). Sanchez threw 1.2 innings and allowed two hits while striking out one. Cragin Missak (Bellevue) tossed the final inning and did not allow any hits while getting the win. For Missak, it was his third win of the season as he evened his record at 3-3.

AVILA FRIDAY GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Saturday Game One Action
 
Neither team scored in the first two innings. Avila did plate one run in the top of the third and then added two more in the top of the fourth to lead 3-0. That would be all that the Eagles would score as the Bobcats came from behind for the win.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, after the first two outs, Silva got an infield single. On Rupp's single, Silva advanced to second. Brown followed with a single to shallow left-center to score Silva to cut the deficit to 3-1.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Dameron singled to left and went to second when Glass laid down a sacrifice bunt. Rodriguez singled to right with Dameron moving to third. McGinnity would reach on an Eagle error with Dameron scoring to cut it to 3-2.
It would be the sixth inning when the Bobcats exploded for five runs after a pitching change. Rupp reached on a walk and Jacob Trujillo (Hollister, Calif.) would come in to run for Rupp. Brown put down a sacrifice bunt with Trujillo moving to second. On a ground out, Trujillo moved to third. Dameron reached on a walk as did Glass to load the bases. Rodriguez reached on the third straight walk and Trujillo scored to tie the game. After another pitching change, McGinnity hit a grand slam on a 1-0 count over the left field fence to put the 'Cats on top 7-3 which eventually was the final score of the game.
 
Peru State scored their seven runs on nine hits and did not commit an error. Avila scored their three runs on four hits and had one error.
 
Rupp and Dameron both went two for two to lead the team while McGinnity finished with five RBI. Rodriguez and Brown each added one RBI.
 
O'Keefe Hall (Reno, Nev.) threw 2+ innings. Hall allowed 1 hit, 1 earned run, and struck out 5. Angus Miller (Fontana, Calif.) threw 1.1 innings. Miller allowed 2 hits and 2 earned runs. Sanchez tossed 0.2 innings. Sanchez allowed 1 hit and struck out 1. Hernandez threw 2 innings and did not allow any hits while striking out one. Hernandez was the winning pitcher. Missak threw the final inning and struck out two while earning the save.

SATURDAY GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Saturday Game Two Action
 
The final game started similar to the very first game of the season, but the Bobcats had the resolve to come back.
 
The Eagles scored four runs in the top of the first inning and maintained their lead until the fourth inning.
 
In the bottom of the second, Silva hit a home run over the left field fence on a 2-1 count to make it 4-1.
 
Then, in the bottom of the third, after an out, Rodriguez doubled deep down the left field line. On a passed ball, Rodriguez advanced to third. On a ground out by McGinnity, Rodriguez scored to cut the lead to 4-2.
 
In the top of the fourth, Avila increased their lead to 5-2. The bottom of the fourth was where Peru State did the majority of their damage.
 
After an out, Jeremy Mouton (San Jacinto, Calif.) reached on an error and then advanced to second with a stolen base. Dameron would also reach on an error. Glass singled to left to score Mouton with Dameron stopping at second. Rodriguez would load the bases with a walk. After another out, Killen singled to center to drive in Dameron to make it 5-4. After a pitching change, Glass would score on a wild pitch to tie the game. Rupp would reach on a walk to once again load the bases. Silva singled to right-center which was deep enough to score Rodriguez and Killen to give the 'Cats a 7-5 lead. With Rupp on third, Brown singled to bring him home. After four complete innings, Peru State led 8-5.
 
Avila would tie the game in the top of the sixth with a three-run home run.
 
After two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Silva homered on a 0-1 count over the left field fence to put the Bobcats up 9-8.
The Eagles would go down in order in the top of the seventh with Peru State pulling off another upset.
 
Peru State scored their nine runs on ten hits and committed two errors. The Eagles scored their eight runs on six hits and had three miscues.
 
Silva went three for four to lead the team while Rodriguez and Killen each adding two hits. Silva was credited with four RBI with Glass, McGinnity, Killen, and Brown each adding one RBI.
 
Trujillo started on the mound and threw five innings. He allowed four hits, five earned runs, and struck out five. Missak tossed the final two innings for the win. He allowed two hits and three earned runs.

SATURDAY GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will play one nine-inning non-conference game with Bellevue University on Monday. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but the teams are trying to outsmart Mother Nature. The Bruins are having an excellent season and are 39-7 overall while currently being ranked second in the NAIA.
 
The Bobcats will then finish their regular season with four games against Benedictine College. The first double header will be played in Atchison, Kan., on Friday beginning at 1 p.m. The second double header will be played in Peru on Saturday at 1 p.m. Presently, the Ravens are 17-33 overall and 9-19 in the Heart. They will be looking to sweep the series and potentially make the conference post-season tournament.
 
Saturday will Peru State's senior day as well as the "Community and College Celebration." The Bobcat seniors will be recognized following the game. At approximately 3 p.m., those attending either the baseball or softball games will be treated to free food and free fun. The picnic celebration is a collaborative effort between the Student Athlete Advisory Council, the College's Foundation, and the College's Professional Staff.