(Peru, Neb.) – The Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) softball leader Evangel (Mo.) swept a double header at home Saturday over Peru State in Springfield, Mo.
 
The Crusaders took game one 8-4 and then game two 11-1 in five innings.
 
With the wins, Evangel improved to 18-8 overall and are now 12-2 in the Heart. Peru State fell to 11-18 on the season and is presently 6-8 in conference action.
 
Game One Action
 
Peru State struck first in the game in the top of the first inning. Alexis Paulo-Meyers (Waianae, Hawaii) singled to left and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Chelsea Reznicek (Omaha). Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) singled to center to drive in Paulo-Meyers. The 'Cats ended up leaving two stranded on base, but led 1-0 at that point.

 
Evangel plated two runs in the bottom of the inning to lead 2-1.
 
In the top of the second, Sandy Garcia (Strasburg, Colo.) was hit by a pitch to start the top half of the frame. After an out, Amberlin Scharsch (Aiea, Hawaii) laid down a sacrifice bunt with Garcia moving to second. Paulo-Meyers followed with another single and Garcia scored to tie the game at 2-2.
 
After the Crusaders went down in order in the bottom of the second, the Bobcats would regain the lead in the top of the third. Carlos doubled to right to start the inning and after two outs, Megan Hartman (Lincoln) singled to center to drive in Carlos to put the 'Cats up at 3-2.
 
The Crusaders would retake the lead by scoring two in the bottom of the third to go up 4-3.
 
In the top of the fourth, Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) was hit by a pitch. Scharsch doubled with Moya advancing to third. Another Paulo-Meyers singled would score Moya to tie it at 4-4. Again, the 'Cats would leave two on base without getting another score.
 
After leaving two on base again in the top of the fifth without scoring, the Bobcats would see Evangel score two in the bottom of the frame to take the lead at 6-4. In the bottom of the sixth, the Crusaders would score two more for the 8-4 victory.
 
Evangel scored their eight runs on 12 hits and had one error. Peru State scored their four runs on nine hits and also had one error.
 
Paulo-Meyers and Carlos each had three hits to lead Peru State. Paulo-Meyers was credited with two RBI while Carlos and Hartman each added one RBI.
 
Nicole Reznicek (Omaha) started on the mound and suffered the loss. Reznicek threw five innings and allowed ten hits, seven earned runs, and struck out five. Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) tossed one inning. Ritchie allowed two hits and one earned run.

EVANGEL GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Game Two Action
 
Evangel blasted the Bobcats with nine runs in the bottom of the first and Peru State never would recover in game two.

 
The Crusaders would add one in the bottom of the second and one in the bottom of the third to lead 11-0 before Peru State would be able to plate a run.
 
Moya reached on a bobble and went to second and then third on two passed balls. Carlos hit a sacrifice fly to center and Moya put a digit on the board for the 'Cats. But, that would be all Peru State would score in the game.
 
The Crusaders scored their 11 runs on 14 hits and had one error. Peru State scored their lone run on two hits and committed two miscues.
 
Hartman and Leah Quick (Kansas City, Kan.) were the lone Bobcats to get a hit in the second game. Carlos was credited with the RBI.
 
Hartman started on the mound and last 0.1 innings. She allowed 6 hits and 5 earned runs. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) threw the final 3.2 innings. Farrell gave up 8 hits, 6 earned runs, while striking out 5.

EVANGEL GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State is back in action on Sunday facing Missouri Valley in Marshall, Mo., in a conference double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Vikings are 8-12 on the season and are 2-8 in the Heart.
 
On Tuesday, the Bobcats will be heading to Iowa to face North Division foe Grand View in Des Moines beginning at 2 p.m. The Vikings are 16-6 overall and are 4-2 in conference play.
 
The next day, the same two teams will meet in Peru in make-up play from a rain out due to Mother Nature.