(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State softball team almost pulled off a major upset Friday afternoon in Baldwin City, Kan. However, the 25^th-ranked Baker Wildcats came back in the bottom of the seventh with four runs to force extra innings and then won it 10-9 in the bottom of the eighth frame.
 
This was the second game of a double header which was postponed from earlier in April
 
With the win, Baker improves to 34-11 on the year and 22-9 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division. Peru State fell to 14-32 on the year and 9-22 in the Heart North.

 
Game Action
 
The Bobcats got on the board first. After an out, Regan Kirby (Gretna) singled to the pitcher's mound. After the second out, Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) was hit by a pitch. Sandy Garcia (Strasburg, Colo.) stepped to the plate and hit a single to center to drive in Kirby to make it 1-0.
 
In the top of the second, after an out, Hannah Mitchel (Nebraska City) reached on a walk and went to second when Shelbi Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) singled to first. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) reached on a fielder's choice with Mitchel being forced out at third. On a wild pitch, both base runners advanced. Kirby reached on an error with Audsley scoring to make it 2-0.
 
Baker would score one in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 2-1.
 
In the top of the fourth, after an out, Audsley was hit by a pitch. Farrell doubled over the center field fence to drive in Audsley to make it 3-1.
 
Then, in the top of the fifth, the Bobcat bats went to work. Carlos doubled over the left field fence to start the inning. On a wild pitch, Carlos went to third. Garcia reached on an error with Carlos scoring. Ally Hazen (North Platte) reached on a walk. On a ground out, the base runners advanced. Mitchel singled to first with Garcia scoring and Hazen stopping at third. Audsley would reach on a fielder's choice with Mitchel forced out at second. Farrell singled to right-center with Hazen scoring. Audsley would advance to second on the play. Kirby then hit a single to left with Audsley moving to third and then scoring on an error and Farrell went to third on the play. Megan Hartman (Lincoln) singled up the middle to drive in both base runners. At that point, the Bobcats led 9-1.
 
The Wildcats would score three in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 9-4. Baker would then add one in the bottom of the sixth to put the score at 9-5. After the Bobcats could not score in the sixth or seventh, the Wildcats scored four in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 9-9.

 
Peru State went down in order in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the frame, the Wildcats were able to push across the winning run.
 
Baker scored their ten runs on 12 hits and committed three errors. Peru State scored their nine runs on nine hits and committed six miscues.
 
Farrell and Kirby each had two hits to lead the Bobcats. Farrell, Garcia, and Hartman each were credited with two RBI.
 
Hartman pitched the game and was tagged for the loss. In her 7.1 innings, she allowed 12 hits, ten runs – seven earned, and struck out seven.

BAKER GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State is playing a double header in Olathe, Kan., against MidAmerica Nazarene in Heart action beginning at 1 p.m. The Pioneers are 32-19 on the year and are 21-13 in the Heart South.
 
On Sunday, the Bobcats will travel to Kansas City, Mo., to take on Avila in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Eagles are 34-21 presently and are 20-14 in the Heart South.
 
The regular season will come to an end on Monday as Peru State will be in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to face the Statesmen in a double header which will begin at 4 p.m. William Penn is currently 13-36 on the season and 7-26 in Heart North action.