(Peru, Neb.) – Jordan Kelly (Omaha) hit a solo home run in the top of the tenth inning to give the Peru State Bobcats an 8-7 lead. The 'Cats managed to hold onto the lead after Evangel (Mo.) had loaded the bases in the bottom of the tenth, but were unable to push across a run.
 
The action took place in an elimination game in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Baseball Championship being played in the US Baseball Park in Ozark, Mo.
 

The win was the 30^th of the year for the Bobcats against 19 losses. The Crusaders' season concluded with a 28-28 record.
 
Peru State will play again tonight (Sunday) at approximately 7:45 p.m. if the weather holds as it was starting to rain at the end of their first game. The Bobcats will face the winner of Avila (Mo.) or Grand View (Iowa).
 
Game Action
 
The 'Cats actually got on the board first and appeared to be cruising at one point.
 
In the top of the second, after an out, Eric Ocasio (San Juan, Puerto Rico) singled thru the hole at short stop. Darren Hasch (Destin, Fla.) reached on a walk as did Seth Thomason (Holt, Fla.) to load the bases. Edwin Muniz (Dorado, Puerto Rico) hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Ocasio and the 'Cats led 1-0 at that point.
 
After a one-two-three inning for Evangel in the bottom of the second, Peru State added to its lead in the top of the third. After an out, Gianfranco Garlobo (Carolina, Puerto Rico) doubled down the right field line. Bryan Ventura Castro (Carolina, Puerto Rico) singled up the middle to bring home Garlobo. Ventura Castro then stole second. After a second out, Hasch tripled to deep center to drive in Ventura Castro for a 3-0 Bobcat lead.
 
The 'Cats would add another run in the top of the fourth. After an out, Chaz Dunn (Falls City) reached on a walk and would go to second later on a passed ball. Kelly doubled to deep left to drive in Dunn to make it 4-0 Peru State.
 
Evangel would cut into the Bobcat lead with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Later, the Crusaders would take their first lead by scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth to go up 6-4.
 
Peru State would come right back in the top of the seventh to go back on top. Garlobo would reach on a walk and then Ventura Castro hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a full count to tie the game at 6-6. The Crusaders managed an out after a pitching change before Hasch doubled to deep left. After a second out which allowed Hasch to go to third, Muniz reached on a walk. Dunn followed with a single to drive in Hasch to give the Bobcats a 7-6 lead.

 
The Crusaders would tie it up with one run in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Neither team would score in the eighth or ninth which forced extra innings.
 
After an out in the top of the tenth, Kelly homered over the left field fence on the first pitch he saw to put the 'Cats up 8-7.
 
Evangel made it interesting in the bottom of the tenth or rather Peru State made it interesting in the bottom of the frame. After the first out, the next two batters were hit by a pitch. After a fielder's choice for a second out, an intentional walk was issued to load the bases. The next Crusader bounced hit a grounder to get a force out and the Bobcats prevailed.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Statistics
 
Peru State scored their eight runs on 15 hits and committed four errors. The Crusaders scored their seven runs on eight hits and did not commit any errors.
 
Six Bobcats – Kelly, Garlobo, Ventura Castro, Ocasio, and Dunn – each had two hits to lead Peru State. Ventura Castro had three RBI while Kelly added two.
 
It took four Bobcat pitchers to get the win, but they would take it however they could do so. Cory Royer (Las Vegas) started on the mound. Royer went 5.1 innings and allowed 5 this, 6 runs – 2 earned, and struck out 5. Joshua Santiago (Carolina, Puerto Rico) tossed 1 inning. Santiago allowed 2 hits and gave up 1 earned run. Tyler Wheelock (Omaha) threw 1 out and allowed 1 hit. Eddy Tavarez Cabrera (San Cristobel, Dominican Republic) tossed the final 3.1 innings and earned the win. Tavarez Cabrera did not allow any hits and struck 4.

 
Upcoming Game(s)
 
The Bobcats will play Sunday night, weather permitting, at approximately 7:45 p.m. against either Avila or Grand View. Peru State did not face Avila this year during the regular season. The Eagles are presently 30-23 on the year. Grand View topped the Bobcats in the first round of the tournament and are 26-21 on the season.
 
With a win, the 'Cats would play at 1:15 p.m. Monday against the loser of Central Methodist (Mo.) or Clarke (Iowa).