(Peru, Neb.) – You could only dream of a no-hitter to start the conference season, but that is what happened as Peru State faced Avila in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday.
 
This is what happened as Bobcat hurler Alberto Rosario (Carolina, Puerto Rico) threw a seven-inning no-hitter as was two walks from having a perfect game. Peru State topped the Eagles 8-0 in the first Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) game in 42 degree weather. The 'Cats also took game two 5-2 in eight innings.
 
With the two wins, Peru State improved to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in the Heart. Avila fell to 10-9 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.
 
Game One Action
 
Peru State did not get on the board until the top of the third when they exploded for six runs. Jordan Kelly (Omaha) singled to shallow center to start the contest. Edwin Muniz (Dorado, Puerto Ricto) hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a 2-1 count to score what would be more than enough runs. After an out, Bryan Ventura Castro (Carolina, Puerto Rico) singled up the middle and went to third when Gianfranco Garlobo (Carolina, Puerto Rico) singled down the right field line. Mark McGinnity (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) doubled down the right field line to drive in both Ventura Castro and Garlobo. Scout Villanueva (Bakersfield, Calif.) singled to right with McGinnity stopping at third. Darren Hasch (Destin, Fla.) singled to shallow left-center to score McGinnity with Villanueva moving to second. Seth Thomason (Crestview, Fla.) singled to right to load the bases. Kelly would reach on a fielder's choice which scored Villanueva and the 'Cats led 6-0 at that point.

 
The Bobcats would add a run in the top of the fifth. After an out, Hasch reached on a walk and went to second with a stolen base. Thomason reached on a walk. Kelly singled to left to drive in Hasch and Peru State increased its lead to 7-0.
 
In the top of the sixth, Peru State would add another run. After a ground out, Ventura Castro doubled to shallow left-center. Garlobo singled to shallow center with Ventura Castro stopping at third. McGinnity would reach on a fielder's choice and Ventura Castro score the Bobcats' last run of the game.
 
The 'Cats scored their eight runs on 12 hits and did not commit any errors. Avila had no runs or hits and did not commit an error.
 
Ventura Castro went three for four to lead the team with Garlobo and Kelly each adding two hits. McGinnity led the team with three RBI with Kelly and Muniz each having two RBI.
 
Rosario threw seven innings for the win. He did not give up a hit, walked two, and struck out six.

AVILA GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Game Two Action
 
In the first inning, after an out, Garlobo singled to right. After another out, Garlobo stole second base. Villanueva reached on a walk. Hasch followed with a single to shallow right-center to drive in Garlobo to put Peru State up 1-0.

 
The Eagles would score two in the bottom of the first to take their first lead of the game at 2-1.
 
In the top of the third, Ventura Castro singled and went to second when Garlobo bunted and reached on a base hit. Ventura Castro would move to third on the throw. McGinnity hit a sacrifice fly wot drive in Ventura Castro to tie the game at 2-2.
 
It would be a pitcher's duel for the next four innings as neither team scored or even had very many base runners.
 
In the top of the eighth, after a pitching change, Garlobo would single to right after an out. On a wild pitch, Garlobo would move to second. McGinnity was hit by a pitch to give the 'Cats two base runners. Both runners would advance on a ground out. The Eagles would issue an intentional walk to Hasch to load the bases. Sterling Rupp (Grand Island) would come to the plate and hit a double down the left field line to drive in all three on base to put Peru State up 5-2.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, the Bobcats held on as the Eagles stranded two on base.
 
Peru State would score their five runs on eight hits and had one error. Avila would score their two runs on three hits and also had one error.
 
Garlobo led the team going three for four while Hasch went two for three. Rupp drove in three RBI with McGinnity and Hasch each adding one RBI.

 
Ryan Hirschfeld (Brush, Colo.) started the game for the 'Cats and went 4.2 innings. Hirschfeld allowed 3 hits – 2 earned runs, and struck out 4. Cragin Missak (Bellevue) threw 2.1 innings and was credited with the win. Missak did not allow a hit and struck out 3. John Tellini (Pembrook Pines, Fla.) threw the final inning for the save. Tellini did not allow any hits and struck out 2.

AVILA GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Mother Nature permitting, Peru State will travel to Baldwin City, Kan., on Sunday to take on the Baker Wildcats in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. Baker opened Heart action with a pair of wins on Friday over Graceland (Iowa) 6-5 and 3-2 to improve to 9-13 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
 
The Bobcats will have one mid-week nine-inning game at York on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The Panthers are 14-10 overall.
 
The 'Cats will host Graceland next weekend on March 18 and 19 with the games scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. each day. The YellowJackets are 4-14 overall and 0-2 in the Heart.