(Peru, Neb.) – In their second game with the visiting Nebraska Wesleyan (NWU) Prairie Wolves Thursday afternoon, the Peru State softball team displayed the ability that their coaches knew they had.
 
While playing a nearly flawless game, the 'Cats topped NWU 2-0 to break their nine-game losing streak. The Prairie Wolves had taken game on 9-7, but had to hold off a late-inning charge as Peru State scored seven unanswered runs and left the bases loaded as the game ended.
 
With the split, Peru State is now 5-17 on the year. Nebraska Wesleyan is now 12-8.
 
First Game Action
 
The Prairie Wolves scored three in the second, two in the third, and added four more in the top of the fifth to lead 9-0. At that point, it looked like the mercy rule would be invoked.
 
However, the 'Cats had other plans. In the bottom of the fifth, Peru State would score a pair of runs to extend the game.

 
After a pitching change, the first Bobcat lined out. Then, Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) reached on a walk. Alexis Paulo-Meyers (Waianae, Hawaii) hit a two-run home run over the center field fence to make the score 9-2.
 
Peru State would hold the Prairie Wolves scoreless in the top of the sixth before adding more runs in the bottom of the inning. Megan Hartman (Lincoln) reached with a walk. Ally Hazen (North Platte) stepped up and hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a 3-0 count to cut the deficit to five at 9-4.
 
In the top of the seventh, NWU started with a single, but were not able to score.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Paulo-Meyers homered to start the inning over the center field fence on a 2-2 count to make it 9-5. Regan Kirby (Gretna) reached on an error and then went to second when Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) singled to shallow left-center. Carson Ebeling (Diller) came in to run for Farrell. Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) singled thru the hole at shortstop to load the bases. Hartman reached on a fielder's choice, but Kirby was thrown out at home. Hazen singled to right-center with Ebeling scoring and the bases were still loaded. Elizabeth Nelson (Adams) singled to shallow left-center to score Carlos. Unfortunately for the 'Cats, the next two batters struck out to end the game in NWU's favor.
 
The Prairie Wolves scored their nine runs on 16 hits and had one error. Peru State scored their seven runs on 11 hits and committed two errors.
 
Paulo-Meyers went four for four and had three RBI to lead the 'Cats. Hazen went three for four and had three RBI while Carlos added two hits.
 
Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) threw 4.1 innings and suffered the loss. Ritchie allowed 12 hits, 9 runs – 7 earned, and struck out 1. Moya threw the final 2.2 innings. She allowed 4 hits and struck out 2.

NWU GM 1 GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
The second game was more of a classic softball pitching duel. Each team had few base runners with the exception of a couple of innings.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Peru State struck first. After an out, Hartman singled to shallow left-center and then went to second with a stolen base. Nelson singled to short with Hartman moving to third. Moya singled to the infield with Hartman scoring the first run of the game.
 
The 'Cats would add an insurance run in the bottom of fifth. Paulo-Meyers was hit by a pitch to get on base and then stole second. Kirby singled to shallow left-center to move Paulo-Meyers to third. Kirby would advance to second on the play. Later, on the second out which was a ground-out, Paulo-Meyers was able to score to make it 2-0 which would be the final score of the game.
 
Peru State scored its two runs on six hits and had one error. NWU had three hits and committed one error.

 
Kirby led the team by going two for three while Carlos and Moya were credited with one RBI each.
 
Hartman threw a complete game to earn the win. She allowed just three hits and struck out three.

NWU GM 2 GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State jumps back into Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) action on Sunday in Fayette, Mo. They will face Central Methodist, the Heart leader and a team which is receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Eagles are 18-2 overall and are perfect in conference play at 8-0. Game time for the double header is 1 p.m.
 
The 'Cats will be on the road again on Wednesday when they travel to Lamoni, Iowa, to face Graceland in a double header at 2 p.m. Presently, the Yellowjackets are 10-5 overall and 2-4 in the Heart North. They are scheduled to play Midland on Monday.
 
The Bobcats will then be back at home on Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, when they host Evangel (Mo.) and Missouri Valley respectively at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m. each day.