(Peru, Neb.) – After winning four games in a row, the magic was gone on Thursday as the visiting Benedictine (Kan.) softball team easily swept Peru State.
 
The Ravens won the first game 9-0 in five innings and then took the nightcap 12-3.
 
With the two wins, Benedictine improved to 24-22 overall and 14-20 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division. The 'Cats fell to 14-31 overall and 9-22 in the Heart North.
 
Game One Action
 
Benedictine jumped all of the Bobcats in the top of the first inning and scored six runs. They would add their other three runs in the top of the third for the 9-0 win.
 
Peru State did have base runners in every inning except the fifth, but could not push across any runs.
 
The Ravens scored their nine runs on eight hits and committed one error. The Bobcats had five hits and also had five errors.
 
Regan Kirby (Gretna), Megan Hartman (Lincoln), Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii), Ally Hazen (North Platte), and Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) each had one hit.
 
Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) started the game on the mound and suffered the loss. Ritchie went 2.1 innings and allowed eight hits, eight runs – none earned, and struck out one. Hartman threw the final 2.2 innings and allowed one unearned run while striking out one.

 
Game Two Action
 
The first scoring came in the top of the third when Benedictine plated two.
 
In the bottom of the third, Peru State would finally get on the board. After an out, Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) singled to left. Kirby reached on a fielder's choice with Farrell forced out for the second out. Hartman doubled to deep left-center to put runners on the corners. Carlos singled to center to drive in Kirby, but that would be all the 'Cats could get across the plate to make it 3-1.
 
In the top of the fourth, Benedictine had their second six-run inning of the game as they pushed their lead to 9-1.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Ritchie started the inning with a single. After an out, Kirby singled with Ritchie stopping at second. Hartman reached on a walk to load the bases. After the second out, Sandy Garcia (Strasburg, Colo.) reached on a misplayed grounder to bring home Ritchie and Kirby. Again, Peru State would leave two on the bases with the score being 9-3 at that point.
 
The Ravens would add three runs in the top of the seventh for the final 12-3 score.
 
Benedictine scored their 12 runs on 15 hits and had one miscue. Peru State scored their three runs on seven hits and also had one error.
 
Hartman led the Bobcats going two for three in the game. Garcia was credited with two RBI while Carlos added one.

 
Moya started the game pitching and was tagged for the loss. She went four innings and allowed 11 hits and eight earned runs. Ritchie threw the final three innings and allowed four hits, four earned runs, and struck out two.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will close out its regular season with seven games on the road. On Friday, they will play the second game of a double header which was earlier rained out. The Bobcats will be facing #25 Baker in Baldwin City, Kan., at 5 p.m. The Wildcats are presently 33-11 on the year and 22-9 in the Heart South.
 
On Saturday, Peru State will face MidAmerica Nazarene in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. in Olathe, Kan. The Pioneers are 30-19 on the year and are 19-13 in the Heart South.
 
Sunday, the Bobcats will be in Kansas City, Mo., to face Avila at 1 p.m. The Eagles are 34-21 overall and 20-14 in the Heart South.
 
The final regular season games will be played on Monday, April 30, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, at William Penn at 1 p.m. The Statesmen are 13-34 on the year and are 7-24 in the Heart North.
 
How the Bobcats fare will determine whether or not they make the Heart Championship which will begin on Wednesday, May 2, in Springfield, Mo.