(Peru, Neb.) – Two of the top three teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division baseball battled Thursday and Friday in Peru State. The end result was that Peru State and the Grand View (Iowa) Vikings split the four-game series.
 
The Bobcats took the first game 3-2 and then won the final game of the series 3-1. The Vikings took the middle two games 7-2 and 8-2.
 
Peru State finished the regular season 32-18 overall and 21-11 in the Heart. The Vikings completed their regular season 28-21 overall and 19-13 in conference play.

 
Thursday Game One Action
 
The Vikings struck first in the top of the first with one run to take the early lead.
 
In the bottom of the first, Peru State was able to put some runs on the board. After an out, Gianfranco Garlobo (Carolina, Puerto Rico) doubled to right-center. After the second out, Brandon Sedell (Davie, Fla.) hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a 1-0 count to put the 'Cats up 2-1.
 
Grand View would tie it in the top of the second inning at 2-2 and that score held until the eighth inning. Although, both teams did have possible scoring opportunities in a couple of the other innings. The Bobcats had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but could not plate a run.
 
The Vikings did have a runner in scoring position in the top of the eighth, but Peru State worked its way out of the frame.
 
Then, in the bottom of the eighth, Bryan Ventura Castro (Carolina, Puerto Rico) took the first pitch he saw over the left field fence on a 0-0 count to give the Bobcats the 3-2 win.
 
Peru State scored its three runs on seven hits and did not commit any errors. Grand View scored its two runs on five hits and had one error.
 
Garlobo and Sedell each had two hits for Peru State while Garlobo getting two RBI. Ventura Castro had the other RBI on his game-winning home run.
 
Alberto Rosario (Carolina, Puerto Rico) threw the first seven innings for the Bobcats, but did not get the decision. Rosario allowed four hits, two earned runs, and struck out a season-high 13 Vikings. Christian Sanchez (Ponce, Puerto Rico) tossed the final inning and earned the win. Sanchez allowed one hit.

THURSDAY GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Thursday Game Two Action
 
Grand View scored first by plating two runs in the top of the second.
 

The 'Cats responded in the bottom half of the inning. After an out, Jordan Kelly (Omaha) singled to second and later went to second when Edwin Muniz (Dorado, Puerto Rico) singled to shallow left. On a fielder's choice, Joshua Banuelos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) reached first with Kelly advancing to third and Muniz out at second. Ventura Castro would triple down the right field line to drive in the base runners and tie up the game at 2-2.
 
Neither team would score until the top of the sixth when the Vikings added a run on a home run. Peru State would leave bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth without scoring.
 
In the top of the seventh, Grand View would add four insurance runs to go up 7-2 at that point. Again, the Bobcats would strand runners in scoring position in the bottom of the frame.
 
Grand View scored their seven runs on eight hits and committed one error. Peru State also had eight hits, but could only score twice. The 'Cats also had one error.
 
Ventura Castro and Kelly each had two hits to lead the Bobcats. Ventura Castro was credited with the two RBI.
 
Ben Carr (Omaha) threw the first six innings and was tagged for the loss. Carr allowed four hits, three runs – one earned, and struck out two. Sanchez threw two outs in the top of the seventh and gave up four hits and four earned runs. John Tellini (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) threw the final out. Tellini did not allow any hits and struck out one.

THURSDAY GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Friday Game One Action
 
Grand View jumped out to an early lead in the first game on Friday. They scored two runs in the top of the second and two more in the top of the third to go up 4-0.

 
Peru State would score their two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ventura Castro reached on a wild throw and then went to second on the play. After an out, Mark McGinnity (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) doubled to deep left to drive in Ventura Castro. After the second out, Scout Villanueva (Bakersfield, Calif.) doubled shallow down the right field line to bring McGinnity home.
 
The Vikings added four more runs in the top of the fifth on their way to the 8-2 victory.
 
Grand View scored their eight runs on seven hits and committed an error. The Bobcats scored their two runs on five hits and did not commit any errors.
 
Banuelos led the team with two hits while McGinnity and Villanueva each had one RBI.
Tanner DeGafferelly (Fort Walton, Fla.) threw 4.1 innings and was tagged for the loss. DeGafferelly allowed 5 hits, 5 earned runs, and struck out 1. Andrew Robinson (Imperial Beach, Calif.) tossed 0.1 innings and gave up 2 hits and 3 earned runs. Tyler Wheelock (Omaha) threw last out of the fifth inning and had 1 strikeout. Cragin Missak (Bellevue) threw the final 2 innings and did not allow any hits or runs.

FRIDAY GM 1 GAME BOOK

Friday Game Two Action
 
Neither team had much offensive output until the fifth inning. The Vikings did strand two base runners in the top half of the inning, but the 'Cats were able to score runs in the bottom half of the frame.
 
Hasch started with a double to deep center and then was driven in when Muniz doubled to deep left-center. Caleb Dameron (Henderson, Colo.) came in to run for Muniz at that point. Kelly singled to the infield with Dameron moving to third on the bobbled throw. Kelly actually moved up to second on the same play. Banuelos followed with a single to shallow right and both base runners scored. Peru State would leave two more on base, but had a 3-0 lead at that point.
 
Grand View would score their lone run in the top of the sixth which would eventually be the final scoring of the series.
 
Peru State scored their three runs on six hits and committed three errors. The Vikings scored their lone run on nine hits and had two miscues.
 
Banuelos had another two hits in the second game on Friday and also drove in two runs. Muniz was credited with the other RBI.

 
Javier Vasquez (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) threw a complete game for the win. Vasquez allowed nine hits, one run – none earned, and struck out three.

FRIDAY GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Heart Post-Season Tournament
 
While the initial plans for how the tournament was to have been run based on the division seeds, the Bobcats will either be the third or fourth seed of the tournament. Benedictine (Kan.) is who the 'Cats are waiting on to play to determine their final status. The seeding will make a major difference in what time Peru State will open the tournament. They will either play at 1 p.m. if they are the fourth seed or will play at 7 p.m. if they are the third seed.
 
The tournament this year is being held at the US Baseball Park in Ozark, Mo., and is being hosted by Evangel University.