(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State softball team dropped a pair of games on Sunday in non-conference action to one of the leaders of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The Hastings Broncos won 5-0 and 6-3 in Hastings. The Broncos are virtually tied for the lead of the GPAC with one week remaining in regular-season play.
 
Hastings improved to 29-19 on the year while Peru State fell to 17-32.
 
Game One Action
 
The Broncos scored one run in the second, one in the fifth, and three in the bottom of the sixth for their five runs.

 
Hastings scored their five runs on seven hits. Peru State managed three hits in the game and had four errors which aided the Broncos in their runs.
 
Ally Hazen (Maxwell) led Peru State going two of three while Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) added another hit.
 
Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) pitched a complete game and suffered the loss. Ritchie allowed seven hits, five runs – two earned, and struck out seven.

HASTINGS GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Game Two Action
 
The Bobcats scored in the top of the second. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) singled to start the inning. Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) doubled with Farrell moving to third. Madison Bowman (Geneva) bunted and reached first on a fielder's choice as Farrell was tagged out at home. Carlos moved to third on the play. Hannah Ciatto (Largo, Fla.) hit a sacrifice fly which scored Carlos to make it 1-0 Peru State.
 
Hastings would score in the bottom of the third to lead 4-1 at that point.
 
In the top of the fourth, Farrell started the inning with a single and went to second on a wild pitch. Carlos reached on a bobble with Farrell moving to third. On a double play by Hastings, Farrell scored to cut the lead to 4-2.
 
In the top of the sixth, Bowman singled to shallow center. Amberlin Scharsch (Aiea, Hawaii) came in to run for Bowman. After an out, Scharsch stole second base and went to third on a sacrifice fly. Holly Kurz (Elkhorn) walked. Moya reached base on a bobble which scored Scharsch to make it 4-3.
 
The Broncos would add two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the final scoring.
 
Hastings scored their six runs on eight hits and had two errors. Peru State scored their three runs on ten hits and also had two miscues.

 
Farrell led the team going three out of four while Carlos added two hits. Moya, Bowman, and Ciatto each were credited with one RBI.
 
Farrell threw the first three innings and was tagged for the loss. Farrell allowed five hits, four runs – two earned, and struck out two. Megan Hartman (Lincoln) pitched the final three innings. Hartman allowed three hits, two runs – one earned, and struck out three.

HASTINGS GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will close the season with three sets of Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) double headers.
 
On Tuesday, the Bobcats will travel to face Graceland with the games scheduled to start at 4 p.m. This is a different time other than what was listed as the Yellowjackets are in the finals week. The 'Jackets are presently 16-24 overall and are 8-18 in the Heart.
 
Mount Mercy (Iowa) will be the opponent on Saturday, April 29, for Peru State at home for Senior/Parents' Day. The double header with the Mustangs is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Presently, Mount Mercy is 9-37 overall and are 8-26 in conference play. Senior Day will take place between the games.
 
The final regular season double header will come against the league-leading Clarke (Iowa) Crusaders at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Peru. The Crusaders are 37-10 on the year and are 26-8 in the Heart.
 
The conference tournament will begin May 3 and will be held at Heritage Park Softball Complex in St. Joseph, Mo. Currently, the Bobcats are just sitting on the outside of making the tournament, so the final week will be key for Peru State making the tournament.