(Peru, Neb.) – On the first day of its long road trip, the Peru State softball team swept its Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) opener. The Bobcats topped the host Mount Mercy Mustangs 5-0 and 5-2.
 
With the wins, the 'Cats improved to 7-10 overall and have started 2-0 in the Heart. The Mustangs fell to 0-8 on the season and are 0-4 in conference action.
 
Game One Action
 
Peru State would score in each of the first three innings for what would prove to be more than enough runs.

 
In the first inning, Alexis Paulo-Meyers (Waianae, Hawaii) reached on an error and eventually went to second base by stealing. After an out, Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) doubled to deep left to drive in Paulo-Meyers to make it 1-0.
 
Chelsea Reznicek (Omaha) singled to shallow left to start the second inning. After an out, Hannah Ciatto (Largo, Fla.) doubled to deep left-center with Reznicek stopping at third. Paulo-Meyers would single to shallow center to drive in Reznicek. At that point, the 'Cats led 2-0. 
 
To start the third, Megan Hartman (Lincoln) reached on a walk and would go to second with a stolen base. Leah Quick (Kansas City, Mo.) would reach on an error and Hartman would move to third. On a ground-out, Quick moved to second. Sandy Garcia (Strasburg, Colo.) singled to right-center to drive in both base runners and the Bobcats now led 4-0.
 
Peru State would add an insurance run in the top of the sixth. After an out, Amberlin Scharsch (Aiea, Hawaii) singled to the infield and then was caught stealing. Carlos would hit a home run over the fence on a 1-1 count for the final scoring in the game.
 

The 'Cats scored their five runs on 15 hits and did not commit any errors. Mount Mercy had three hits and committed two errors.
 
Carlos went three for four and had two RBI to lead Peru State. Scharsch, Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.), Reznicek, Garcia, and Ciatto each had two hits with Garcia driving in two RBI.
 
Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) was on the mound and tossed a complete game shutout. Reznicek allowed just three hits and struck out six for the win.

MMC GM 1 BOX SCORE
 
Game Two Action
 
Paulo-Meyers singled to shallow center to start game two and then stole second. After an out, Carlos reached on a walk as did Farrell. Hartman singled to drive in Paulo-Meyers and the Bobcats were up 1-0 at that point.

 
The second inning was the big one for the Bobcats. Garcia singled to left and went to second on a ground-out. Paulo-Meyers doubled down the left field line to drive in Garcia. Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) reached on a walk and then Paulo-Meyers stole third. After the second out, Farrell doubled to deep right-center with the base runners scoring to make it 4-0. Hartman followed with a double to left-center to drive in Peru State's fifth and final run of the game.
 
The Mustangs would score their first run of the day in the bottom of the second to cut it to 5-1. They would add another run in the bottom of the third and most of the rest of the game, it was a pitcher's duel.
 
Peru State scored their five runs on nine hits and had one error. Mount Mercy scored their two runs on five hits and did not have any errors.
 
Hartman went three for four and drove in two RBI. Paulo-Meyers and Farrell each had two hits with Farrell adding two RBI and Paulo-Meyers one.
 
Ritchie pitched a complete game and won her game as a Bobcat. She threw seven innings and allowed five hits, two earned runs, and struck out three.

MMC GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State is playing against Clarke on Sunday in Dubuque, Iowa, in another conference double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Crusaders are 11-3 overall and 3-1 in the Heart and are on a three-game winning streak.
 
On Tuesday, the Bobcats will be back in Iowa, this time in Oskaloosa, when they play the William Penn Statesmen. William Penn is 12-9 overall and are 0-2 in conference play having dropped a double header to league opponent Grand View (Iowa).
 
Peru State is scheduled to play its next four double headers at home with Thursday being its home opener when Culver-Stockton (Mo.) visits for games beginning at 1 p.m. The Wildcats are 6-3 overall and 1-1 in the Heart, but will play four conference games before coming to Peru State.