(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State softball team jumped on the home team early in the first game and went on to win 9-1 and broke an eight-game losing streak. Clarke did take the second game 3-0 to gain the split in the contests played in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, instead of on the Pride's home field due to the snow from the previous day.
 
With the split, Peru State is now 10-29 overall and 5-20 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Clarke is 13-21 on the season and are at .500 in the Heart North with an 11-11 mark.
 
First Game Action
 
Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) singled thru the hole at second base to start the game and went to second when Regan Kirby (Gretna) reached on an error. Megan Hartman (Lincoln) doubled to deep left-center to drive in Farrell with Kirby stopping a third. Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) also reached on an error with Kirby scoring and Hartman moving to third. After an out, Ally Hazen (North Platte) reached on a walk. Shelby Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) reached on a fielder's choice with Hartman scoring. Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) singled up the middle to drive in Carlos and the Bobcats led 4-0.

 
Peru State would get on the board again in the top of the second by adding four more runs. After an out, Kirby reached on a walk and would go to second with a stolen base. Hartman reached on a walk and then Carlos hit a three-run home run over the center field fence on a 1-1 count. Sandy Garcia (Strasburg, Colo.) doubled to deep left-center which forced a pitching change. On a ground out, Garcia went to third. Audsley would bring Garcia home with a single to short to make it 8-0.
 
Clarke would score their lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Bobcats had opportunities to invoke the mercy rule, but left two on base in both the top of the fifth and top of the sixth. In the top of the seventh, Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) singled thru the hole at shortstop to start the inning. After an out, Kirby singled thru the hole at shortstop to move Moya to second. After a second out, Carson Ebeling (Diller) singled to shallow left-center to drive in Moya. The 'Cats could have tacked on more runs, but left the bases load for what would be the final 9-1 score.
 
Peru State scored their nine runs on 14 hits and committed one error. Clarke scored their lone run on three hits and had three miscues.
 
Garcia led the Bobcats by going three for four while Farrell, Kirby, and Ritchie each added two hits. Carlos drove in four with Audsley driving in two. Hartman, Ebeling, and Ritchie each added one RBI.
 
Ritchie was on the mound and pitched one of best games of the season. She allowed just three hits, one earned run, and struck out five.

CLARKE GAME ONE BOX SCORE
 
Second Game Action
 
It was pretty much a pitching duel in the second game with all of the runs Clarke scored coming in the second inning.

 
The Pride scored their three runs on five hits and had another three errors. The 'Cats managed just three hits and had one error.
 
Farrell had two of Peru State's hits with Moya getting the other.
 
Hartman suffered the loss and tossed a complete game. She allowed five hits, three runs – only one earned, and struck out five.

CLARKE GAME TWO BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats will play 13 games starting Saturday, April 21, through Monday, April 30.
 
On Saturday, it will be Senior Day and a tribute to former coach Mark Mathews when Culver-Stockton (Mo.) is in town for a double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Wildcats are playing better this year and have a 25-18 mark overall and are 17-9 in the Heart North.
 
Peru State will have two more home double headers before finishing the season on the road. On Tuesday, the Bobcats will host Graceland (Iowa) beginning at 2 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 18-12-1 on the year and are 8-11-1 in the Heart North.
 
On Wednesday, the Benedictine (Kan.) Ravens will be in town for the final home games of the year with the double header starting at 3:30 p.m. Benedictine is 20-18 on the year and are 10-16 in the Heart South.