(Peru, Neb.) – Unfortunately for the Peru State softball team, the curse of the "one bad inning" seems to continue as they were swept by the visiting William Penn (WPU) team on Wednesday in Peru.
 
The Statesmen came from behind in the first game by scoring four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take the first game 6-5. In the second game, WPU plated four runs in the top of the second which were aided by two Bobcat errors. The Statesmen eventually won 8-2.
 
WPU improved to 10-12 overall and 4-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The 'Cats fell to 4-16 and are now 0-8 in the Heart North.
 
Game One Action
 
Peru State did get on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Alexis Paulo-Meyers (Waianae, Hawaii) doubled to deep center. After an out, Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) singled to shallow center with Paulo-Meyers stopping at third. Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) reached on a fielder's choice with Paulo-Meyers scoring. At the end of one inning, the 'Cats led 1-0.
 
The Statesmen would take a 2-1 lead by scoring two runs in the top of the third inning. But, the Bobcats would respond in the bottom of the third.
 
After an out, Farrell reached on an error. Carlos then hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a 2-2 count to put Peru State up 3-2 at that point.
 
After getting out of a jam in the top of the fifth when WPU left the bases loaded, the 'Cats extended their lead. Regan Kirby (Gretna) singled to shallow left and then after two outs, Megan Hartman (Lincoln) hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a 1-1 count to give Peru State a three-run lead at 5-2 after five innings.
William Penn then went to work in the top of the sixth and plated four runs to take a 6-5 lead.
 
Peru State left two on base in the bottom of the sixth and had the tying run on base in the seventh as well, but could not score any runs.
 
WPU scored their six runs on 11 hits and had one error. Peru State scored their five runs on ten hits and also had one error.
 
Paulo-Meyers and Carlos each had two hits to lead the team. Carlos had three RBI with Hartman adding the other two RBI.
 
Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) threw a complete game and suffered the loss. Ritchie allowed 11 hits, six earned runs, and struck out five.

WILLIAM PENN GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Game Two Action
 
A four-run first inning which all came after two outs and were aided by two Bobcat errors gave the Statesmen all the runs they would actually need in the second game.
 
Peru State did score a run in the bottom of the first as Paulo-Meyers singled to shallow center to start the inning. Kirby bunted and reached first with Paulo-Meyers moving to second. On a fly ball out, Paulo-Meyers moved to third. Carlos would single to shallow left and Paulo-Meyers scored to make it 4-1.
 
WPU would add one run in the second and one more in the third to increase their lead to 6-1.
 
In the bottom of the third, after an out, Farrell doubled to deep right-center and Carlos followed with a double to deep left-center to score Farrell. That would be only run the 'Cats could plate as they stranded two on base.  
William Penn would add one run in the top of the fourth and one more in the top of the fifth to make the final score 8-2.
 
The Statesmen scored their eight runs on 11 hits and did not commit any errors. Peru State scored their two runs on seven hits and committed five errors.
 
Paulo-Meyers and Carlos each had two hits in the loss with Carlos having both RBI.
 
Hartman pitched a complete game for the loss. She allowed 11 hits, eight runs – three earned, and struck out three.

WILLIAM PENN GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats are right back in action on Thursday as they host Nebraska Wesleyan in a pair of non-conference games beginning at 2 p.m. The Prairie Wolves are 11-7 on the season and have not played in eight days.
 
Peru State will be back in Heart action on Sunday when they travel to face Central Methodist on Sunday in Fayette, Mo. The Eagles, who are receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, have improved to 18-2 overall and are perfect in the Heart South with an 8-0 mark.