(Peru, Neb.) – The weather cooperated a little better on Saturday for the softball games in Batesville, Ark. However, the Peru State Bobcats dropped a pair of games in its opening weekend.
 
In its first game on Saturday, Peru State fell to Lindenwood-Belleville (LBU) (Ill.) 2-1 after falling to the Lions on Friday in the only game of the tournament. Then, in its final game of the day, the 'Cats fell to the host Lyon College 6-3.
 
The Bobcats opened its 2019 season with a 0-3 mark. LBU started its season with a 2-1 mark while Lyon improved to 7-0.
 
Lindenwood-Belleville Game Action
 
Peru State scored first in the game in the top of the first inning. After two outs, Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) hit a double to deep right. On a wild pitch, Farrell went to third. Ally Hazen (North Platte) singled to third with Farrell scoring what would be the bobcat's only score of the game.

 
LBU scored two in the bottom of the fourth which was enough for the win.
 
The 'Cats did have two base runners aboard in the top of the seventh, but could not bring any home to score.
 
Lindenwood-Belleville scored its two runs on five hits and did not commit any errors. Peru State scored its lone run on seven hits and had two miscues.
 
Takia Walker (Enterprise, Ala.) and Payton Beckmann (Syracuse) each had two hits in the contest. Hazen was credited with an RBI.
 
Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) was on the mound to start the game for Peru State. Ritchie, who was tagged for the loss, allowed four hits, two runs – one earned, and struck out one. Alana Krieser (Lincoln) threw the final inning and allowed just one hit.
 
Lyon Game Action
 
The Scots scored two runs in the bottom of the first and added three more in the bottom of the third to lead 5-0.
 
In the top of the fourth, after an out, Jordynn Jimenez (Delano, Calif.) singled to center. Then, Farrell stepped to the plate and hit a two-run home run over the right field fence on a 0-0 count to make the score 5-2.

 
Farrell would come back to the plate in the top of the fourth and hit another home run to cut the deficit to two at 5-3.
 
After Lyon scored one in the bottom of the sixth, Peru State would strand two in the top of the seventh and the Scots won 6-3.
 
Lyon scored its six runs on nine hits and had one error. Peru State scored its three runs on six hits and committed three errors.
 
Farrell went two for three and drove in all three runs to lead the Bobcat hitting. Shelbi Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) also had two hits in the loss.
 
Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) threw the first five innings and was handed the loss. Moya allowed eight hits, five runs – two earned, and struck out two. Gabriella Stage (Olathe, Kan.) tossed the final inning. Stage allowed one hit and one run.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State is scheduled to play a double header in Lindsborg, Kan., on Friday against the Bethany Swedes – that is, if Mother Nature cooperates. Bethany has started the season with a 3-4 mark.
 
The Bobcats will then compete in the Friends Tournament in Wichita, Kan., on March 1 and 2. The 'Cats will face Bethel (Kan.), Ottawa (Kan.), and St. Mary (Kan.) on Friday. On Saturday, Peru State will finish the tournament facing York and McPherson (Kan.).