(Peru, Neb.) – After a disappointing first game, the Peru State Bobcat baseball team responded to gain a second game victory over the Evangel University Crusader in Springfield, Mo. Monday afternoon.
 
The Crusaders took game one 8-2 with the Bobcats coming back to take the second game 5-1.
 
Peru State is now 8-4 and 3-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) while Evangel is now 11-12 and is also is 3-1 in conference action.
 
Game One Action
 
The Bobcats drew first blood in the top of the first inning. After an out, Joshua Banuelos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) singled up the middle. On a ground out, Banuelos moved to second. Bryan Ventura Castro (Carolina, Puerto Rico) singled deep down the right field line to drive in Banuelos to make it 1-0.

 
Evangel took a lead they would not relinquish as they plated four runs in the bottom of the first. The Crusaders would tack on three more runs in the bottom of the second to go up 7-1.
 
Chaz Dunn (Falls City) started the top of the third with a single to shallow left. Dunn then went to second with a stolen base. On a ground out, Dunn went to third. On the second ground out, Dunn was able to score to make it 7-2.
 
The only other scoring came in the bottom of the fifth when Evangel added one more run.
 
The Crusaders scored their eight runs on nine hits and had one error. Peru State scored their two runs on six hits and also had one error.
 
Banuelos, Gianfranco Garlobo (Carolina, Puerto Rico), Ventura Castro, Darren Hasch (Destin, Fla.), Edwin Muniz (Dorado, Puerto Rico), and Dunn each had one hit. Banuelos and Ventura Castro were each credited with one RBI.
 
Cory Royer (Las Vegas) started on the mound and suffered the loss for the Bobcats. Royer threw just 1.2 innings and allowed 7 hits, 7 runs – 5 earned, and struck out 2. Andrew Robinson (Imperial Beach, Calif.) threw 3.1 innings of relief. Robinson allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, and struck out 2. Alfredo Barroso (Hialeah, Fla.) tossed the final inning. Barroso did not give up a hit and struck out one.
 
Game Two Action

 
 It was a pitcher's duel most of the game as neither team scored until the fourth inning.
 
Peru State scored four of its runs in the top of the fourth and all came after two outs. Ventura Castro singled down the right field line and then stole second. Hasch walked and Muniz was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Eric Ocasio (San Juan, Puerto Rico) doubled to deep right to drive in Ventura Castro and Hasch with Muniz stopping at third. Jaime Del Hoyo (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) came in to run for Muniz. Jordan Kelly (Omaha) singled to shallow right-center to drive in both base runners. The 'Cats led 4-0 at that point and that would eventually be all they needed for the win.
 
Evangel would score it lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
In the top of the seventh, after a pitching change, Kelly reached on an error. Kelly would go to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dunn. After the second out of the inning, Banuelos singled to right-center to drive in Kelly to put the final score at 5-1.
 
The 'Cats scored their five runs on eight hits and had one error. The Crusaders scored their lone run on six hits and also had one miscue.
 
Banuelos and Garlobo each had two hits to lead Peru State. Ocasio and Kelly were each credited with two RBI.
 
Carlos Gonzalez (Gurabo, Puerto Rico) settled in after a tough first inning which he got out of without any runs. Gonzalez tossed a complete game allowing six hits, one earned run, and struck out nine.

 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will host a non-conference game on Tuesday against York at 2 p.m. It will be one, nine-inning contest. The Panthers are off to a rocky start and have a 6-14 mark overall.
 
On Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. both days, the Bobcats will host a four-game series with Heart North opponent Mount Mercy (Iowa). The Mustangs are 10-11 on the year and started the conference season with a 2-2 mark against South division foes.