(Peru, Neb.) – For not being outside any time before playing their first game of the season, the Peru State Bobcat baseball team seemed to handle it without any adversity in their first action in 2019.
 
The 'Cats did have to go one extra inning to win their first game 6-4 over the home-standing Avila Eagles in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday. In the second game, it was all Bobcats as they won 10-0 in six innings.
 
Peru State starts the season with a 2-0 mark while the Eagles fell to 0-6. The two former conference opponents have had several spirited series in the past as Avila used to be a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) until this past season.
 
First Game Action
 
After an out to start the first inning, Joshua Banuelos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) singled up the middle. After another out, Banuelos sole second. Darren Hasch (Destin, Fla.) reached on a walk. Adam Cendejas (Chino Hills, Calif.), in his first at bat as a Bobcat, hit a double to right to drive in both base runners to put the Bobcats up 2-0.
 
Avila would score one in the bottom of the first to cut the lead to 2-1. The Eagles would then add two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead.
 
In the top of the third, Chaz Dunn (Falls City) reached base on an error and went to second on a single by Zach Nolin (Bonifay, Fla.). Banuelos would get another single and it would score Dunn with Nolin advancing to third. After two strikeouts, Cendejas singled to drive in Nolin to put the Bobcats up 4-3.
 
Neither team would score again until Avila would tie the game with one run in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Peru State would have an opportunity to score in the top of the seventh, but Dunn was stranded at third as the half inning ended. The Eagles went three up and three down in the bottom of the seventh to extend the game.
 
Hasch doubled to center to start the top of the eighth. After a strikeout, Julian Fernandez (Middle Village, N.Y.) singled to shallow left to score Hasch. Fernandez would advance to third on the throw. Jaime Del Hoyo (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) would reach on a walk as would Edwin Muniz (Dorado, Puerto Rico) to load the bases. Dunn was hit by a pitch and credited for an RBI to make the score 6-4.
 
Avila would strand two in the bottom of the frame as Peru State prevailed for the first win of the season.
 
Peru State scored its six runs on ten hits and did not commit any errors. Avila scored its four runs on seven hits and had one error.
 
Cendejas went 3 for 3 and drove in three runs. Banuelos and Dunn each finished with two hits and one RBI each.
 
Eddy Tavarez Cabrera (San Cristobal, Dominican Republic) started on the mound for the 'Cats and tossed the first 3.2 innings. Tavarez Cabrera allowed three hits, three earned runs, and struck out four. Tyler Wheelock (Omaha) threw one out and struck out one. Alfredo Barrosa (Hialeah, Fla.) pitched to outs before turning the ball over to Zach Pinkerton (Beatrice) who tossed 2.1 innings and eventually was credited for the win. Pinkerton allowed two hits, one earned run, and struck out one. Alberto Rosario (Carolina, Puerto Rico) tossed the eighth inning and earned the save. Rosario allowed two hits and struck out one.

AVILA GAME ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
Peru State would not score until the top of the second. After an out, Fernandez singled to the pitcher's mound and went to second when Sterling Rupp (Grand Island) reached on a walk. Fernandez was forced out at third when Muniz reached on a fielder's choice. Luis Ladeata (Porlamar, Venzuela) came in to run for Muniz. Dunn reached on a walk and the bases were loaded. Nolin singled to drive in Rupp and Landeata to put the Bobcats up 2-0.
 
The 'Cats would blow the game open in the top of the third. Hasch reached on a walk and then Cendejas reached on an error. Fernandez bunted and reached on another error with Hasch eventually scoring and Cendejas moving to third. Rupp singled to shallow left to score Cendejas. Muniz stepped to the plate and put one over the fence for a three-run blast. Peru State would lead 7-0 heading into the bottom of the third.
 
The Bobcats would add some more runs in the top of the fourth. After an out, Hasch reached on an error and would move to second on the same play. On a ground out, Hasch would advance to third. Fernandez doubled down the right field line to score Hasch. Rupp would reach on an errors and Fernandez would go all the way home to make the score 9-0.
 
Hasch would add one more run by homering over the deep right-center fence to put the score at 10-0.
 
Peru State scored its ten runs on eight hits and did not commit an error. Avila finished with one hit and had four miscues.
 
Banuelos and Fernandez each had two hits for the Bobcats. Muniz led the team with three RBI while Nolin added two. Hasch, Fernandez, and Rupp each finished with one RBI.
 
Ben Carr (Omaha) tossed a complete game for the win while allowing just one hit. Carr added five K's in the win.

AVILA GAME TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State is in Kansas City again on Sunday to play another double header with the Eagles.
 
The Bobcats will be in Columbia, Mo., next weekend to take on the Cougars in a three-game series with two games being played on Saturday and one game on Sunday. Columbia is 2-2 on the season after splitting an opening weekend series with Bethel (Tenn.).