(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State Bobcat softball team and their Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) opponents Culver-Stockton (Mo.) Wildcats split a double header on Thursday in Peru. The tale of the two games was totally different as the Bobcats took game one 3-1 while the Wildcats took the nightcap 18-9 in five innings.
 
With the split, Peru State is now 10-13 overall and 5-3 in the Heart. The Wildcats are now 8-5 overall and 4-2 in conference action.
 
First Game Action
 
It was definitely a pitcher's duel in the first game as few base runners were aboard until the fourth inning although the Bobcats left two aboard in the bottom of the third.

 
Alexis Paulo-Meyers (Waianae, Hawaii) singled to third to start the inning and then was caught stealing. Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) singled to center. After the second out, Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) hit a two-run home run over the right field fence on a full count to put Peru State up 2-0 at that point.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Wildcats scored on a home run to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Paulo-Meyers singled to short. After an out, Leah Quick (Kansas City, Kan.) doubled to deep right-center to drive in Paulo-Meyers for what would be the final run of the game.
 
Peru State scored their three runs on seven hits and did not commit any errors. Culver-Stockton scored their lone run on five hits and also did not have any errors.
 
Paulo-Meyers led the team with two hits while Farrell's lone hit drove in two RBI and Quick's hit produced one RBI.
 
Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) threw the complete game and earned her sixth win of the season. Reznicek, who threw to her twin Chelsea Reznicek behind the plate, scattered five hits. She gave up one earned run and struck out seven.

CULVER-STOCKTON GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
It was definitely not a pitcher's duel in game two as 27 runs were scored by the two teams.
 
The Wildcats took a commanding 11-run lead at the end of the first half inning and never trailed in the contest. The Bobcats did make several attempts to get back in the game, but it was not enough.
 
In the bottom of the first, after an out, Amberlin Scharsch (Aiea, Hawaii) singled to center. Scharsch would score when Paulo-Meyers doubled to deep left. Carlos reached on a walk. Quick doubled to deep left to drive in Scharsch while Carlos stopped at third. Farrell singled to center with Carlos scoring and Quick advancing to third to make it 11-3 at that point.

 
After holding the Wildcats scoreless in the top of the second, Peru State would add some runs in the bottom of the inning. After an out, Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) singled to the pitcher's mound and would later advance to second on a stolen base. Scharsch bunted and reached base while Moya went to third. Paulo-Meyers reached with a walk to load the bases. Carlos doubled thru the hole at second base to clear the bases and the Bobcats now trailed 11-6.
 
Culver-Stockton would get all of the runs back that Peru State had scored in the first two innings by plating six in the top of the third to lead 17-6 at that point. The Wildcats would add another run in the top of the fourth to go up 18-6.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Bobcats would again push across three runs. After an out, Carlos homered to left on a 1-2 count. Quick followed with a home run of her own on a 1-0 count to make it 18-8. Farrell reached on a walk and Erin Snyder (Omaha) entered to run for Farrell. Snyder advanced to second on a wild pitch. Megan Hartman (Lincoln) reached on a walk. Hannah Ciatto (Largo, Fla.) singled to left to load the bases. Madison Bowman (Geneva) singled to short to drive in Snyder, but that would be all the scoring the Bobcats could muster.
 
Neither team would score in the fifth and the mercy rule was invoked.
 
Culver-Stockton scored their 18 runs on 17 hits and committed no errors. Peru State scored their nine runs on 13 hits and had one error.
 
Quick led the team going three for four with two RBI. Scharsch and Carlos each had two hits with Carlos having four RBI.
 
Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) started the game and allowed three hits and six earned runs while being tagged for the loss. Hartman relieved Ritchie and three innings. Hartman allowed ten hits, 11 earned runs, and struck out three. Moya threw the final two innings. She allowed four hits, one earned run, and struck out one.

CULVER-STOCKTON GM 2 GAME BOOK
 

Upcoming Games
 
Peru State has three more home games within the next five days. On Friday, the Bobcats host Grand View (Iowa) in a double header beginning at 2 p.m. The 20^th-ranked Vikings are presently 15-5 on the year and are 3-1 in conference play.
 
On Sunday, the 'Cats will host Central Methodist (Mo.) in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Eagles, who are receiving votes, are 13-7 overall and are 3-1 in the Heart.
 
Then, on March 29, Peru State will host its final double header in this home stand. The Yellowjackets of Graceland (Iowa) will be the opponents. Graceland is 11-9 on the season and are 3-3 in conference play.