(Peru, Neb.) – The Bobcat softball team let the first game get away and then could not muster any offense in the second game of the double header against MidAmerica Nazarene (MNU) on Saturday in Olathe, Kan.
 
Peru State had a 7-2 lead in the first game heading into the sixth inning only to see the Pioneers come back to eventually tie it in the bottom of the seventh inning to force extra innings. MNU eventually won 8-7 in the bottom of the tenth inning.
 
In the second game, the 'Cats were held to just one hit and lost 7-0.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene improved to 34-19 on the season and 23-13 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division. The Bobcats fell to 14-34 on the season and are now 9-25 in the Heart North.

 
Game One Action
 
The Bobcats were able to score first in the top of the first inning. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) singled to center to start the game. After an out, Megan Hartman (Lincoln) singled to short with Farrell stopping at second. On a wild pitch, both base runners advanced. Rachel Carlos (Kaneohe, Hawaii) reached with a walk to load the bases. Sandy Garcia (Strasburg, Colo.) singled thru the hole at second base to drive in Farrell and Hartman to make it 2-0 Peru State.
 
The Pioneers would knot the score in the bottom of the first at 2-2.
 
The 'Cats would take the lead in the top of the third. Hartman singled to left and Carlos would reach on an error. Garcia reached on a walk to load the bases. Ally Hazen (North Platte) reached on a fielder's choice with Hartman thrown out at home. Carlos would eventually score on a wild throw with Garcia advancing to third. On a ground out, Garcia would score and the Bobcats would lead 4-2 at that point.
 
In the top of the fifth, Peru State would add another run. After two outs, Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) singled to shallow center. Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) doubled to deep left-center to make the score 5-2.
 
In the top of the sixth, after an out, Hartman singled to deep left-center and went to second on the play. Carlos then hit a two-run home run over the center field fence on a 0-0 count to put Peru State up 7-2 at that point.

 
MNU would score two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to three runs at 7-4. Then, in the bottom of the seventh, the Pioneers pushed across three runs to tie the game and force extra innings. The Bobcats did stop the rally as MidAmerica Nazarene left two on base.
 
Neither team would score in the eighth or ninth innings which invoked the international rule of putting a base runner on second in the tenth inning. The Bobcats were able to move their runner to third base, but could not bring her in. The Pioneers were able to get their runner to score and won the first game 8-7.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene scored their eight runs on 15 hits and committed five errors. Peru State scored their seven runs on ten hits and had three miscues.
 
Hartman went four for five to lead the 'Cats while Carlos and Garcia were each credited with two RBI.
 
Ritchie suffered the loss as she tossed a complete game. She gave up 15 hits, eight runs – five earned, and struck out four.

MNU GAME ONE GAME BOOK
 
Game Two Action
 
Peru State's only hit came in the top of the fourth when Farrell singled to left.
 
MNU had already scored five runs by that point - three in the bottom of the first and two in the bottom of the second. The Pioneers added one run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings for their 7-0 score.

 
MidAmerica Nazarene scored their seven runs on 11 hits and did not commit any errors. The 'Cats only had the one hit and committed four errors.
 
Hartman was the losing pitcher as she tossed the complete game. She allowed 11 hits, seven runs – six earned, and struck out two.

MNU GAME TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats still have a pair of double headers remaining and are still mathematically alive to have a chance to make the Heart's post-season tournament.
 
Peru State will face Avila in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Eagles are 35-22 on the year and are 21-15 in the Heart South.
 
Then, on Monday, the Bobcats will be in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to finish the regular season with a double header with William Penn which will begin at 4 p.m. The Statesmen are 13-38 on the year and are 7-28 in the Heart North having lost 12 in a row.
 
If the 'Cats win three of four, they have the potential to play in the Heart Championship which will begin on Wednesday, May 2, in Springfield, Mo.