(Peru, Neb.) – While it could have been a sweep, the Peru State softball team had to settle for a split with the Southwestern Moundbuilders Monday afternoon in Winfield, Kansas.
 
The 'Cats led nearly the entire way in the first game before Southwestern came back to force an extra inning before winning 7-6. In the second game, the Bobcats scored six in the first two innings and held on for a 10-5 victory.
 
With the split, Peru State is now 3-6. Southwestern's record is now 6-14.
 
First Game Action
 
Amberlin Scharsch (Aiea, Hawaii) reached a walk to start the game. After an out, Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was hit by a pitch with Scharsch moving to second. Ally Hazen (North Platte) doubled to right field to drive in both runners. Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) doubled to right center to drive in Hazen. On a ground out, Ritchie moved to third. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) singled thru the right side to drive in Ritchie and the 'Cats led 4-0 after their half inning.

 
Peru State escaped the bottom of the first as the Moundbuilders left the bases loaded. Neither team scored in the second inning.
 
In the top of the third, after an out, Leah Quick (Kansas City, Kan.) tripled down the right field line. Farrell singled to shortstop to drive in Quick and the 'Cats led 5-0 at that point.
 
Southwestern would score one in the bottom of the third and one more in the bottom of the fourth to make it 5-2.
 
Neither team would score in the fifth, but the Moundbuilders tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Neither team would then score in the seventh which forced extra innings.
 
In the top of the eighth, using the international rules, Quick started on second and went to third on a ground out. Sandy Garcia (Strasburg, Colo.) would reach on a fielder's choice with Quick forced out at home. Hannah Ciatto (Largo, Fla.) singled to right center and advanced to second on a field error with Garcia scoring. Ciatto went to third on the play. Scharsch would reach on a fielder's choice with Ciatto thrown out at home on the play. Peru State led 7-6 at that point.
 
In the bottom of the inning, Southwestern would score two runs for the win and were aided by an error.
 
Southwestern scored their seven runs on 12 hits and committed three errors. Peru State scored their six runs on eight hits and had six errors.
 
Farrell went two for two to lead Peru State and also had two RBI. Hazen added two RBI as well.

 
Ritchie started on the mound and through 7 innings allowing 12 hits, 5 runs – 2 earned, and struck out 6. Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) entered for .1 inning and did not allow any hits, but gave up 2 runs – none earned.

SOUTHWESTERN GM 1 BOX SCORE
 
Second Game Action
 
The Bobcats would again score in the first inning. Scharsch walked and then stole second. On a ground out, Scharsch moved to third. Carlos followed with a single to drive in Scharsch and would later go to second on a wild pitch. Farrell singled to center filed with Carlos moving to third. Hartman singled to left field and Carlos would score to give Peru State a 2-0 lead.
 
Southwestern would score two in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game up at 2-2.
 
In the top half of the second, after an out, Ciatto singled to right field and would go to second when Scharsch singled also to right field. Hazen doubled to center field to drive in both base runners. Hazen would later advance to third on a wild pitch. Carlos walked to put runners on the corner. On another wild pitch, Hazen scored and Carlos went to second. Farrell followed with a single to center field with Carlos stopping at third. On a fly out, Carlos scored to make it 6-2 Peru State.

 
In the top of the fourth, the 'Cats would get one more run. Hazen doubled to left center to start the inning. After two outs, Hartman singled to center field to drive in Hazen to give the Bobcats a 7-2 lead.
 
The only other scoring in the game came in the sixth inning for both teams.
 
In Peru State's half inning, after an out, Hazen was hit by a pitch and would eventually go to second on a wild pitch. Carlos reached with a walk. Hazen would move to third on a passed ball. Elizabeth Nelson (Adams) would enter to run for Carlos at this point. Farrell homered to center field to put the Bobcats up 10-2 at that point.
 
The Moundbuilders would score three in the bottom of the sixth to cut the score to 10-5 which would eventually be the final score.
 
Farrell and Hartman each had three hits and three RBI in the win. Hazen and Ciatto also added two hits with Hazen adding two RBI.

 
Nicole Reznicek pitched the entire game for the win. Reznicek allowed 13 hits, five earned runs, and struck out three.

SOUTHWESTERN GM 2 BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
On Tuesday, the Bobcats will continue their Kansas/Oklahoma spring break trip by facing Tabor in Hillsboro, Kansas, in a double header beginning at 2 p.m. The Blue Jays are presently 8-8 on the season.
 
Peru State will head to Langston, Oklahoma, to face the Langston Lions in a double header on Wednesday beginning at 1 p.m. The Lions are presently 6-8 on the year.
 
On Saturday, the 'Cats will open their Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) play when they host Culver-Stockton (Mo.) in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. at the Centennial Complex Field. The Wildcats are 5-2 on the season and are scheduled to play a double header on Wednesday before heading to Peru State.