(Peru, Neb.) – Despite having to move their "home opener" to Joplin, Mo, the Peru State baseball team swept a double header to begin its Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) play.
 
The Bobcats swept Graceland (Iowa) 4-3 and 5-2 to improve to an overall record of 4-8 and 2-0 in the Heart. The Yellowjackets fell to 1-6 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.
 
First Game Action
 
Graceland would score two in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the second, the Bobcats would get on the board. After an out, Eddy Pimentel (San Juan, P.R.) was hit by a pitch. Chaz Dunn (Falls City) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Pimentel to second. Joshua Banuelos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) singled to center to drive in Pimentel to make it 2-1 at the end of two complete innings.
 
Graceland would add their final run of the first game in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 3-1 at that point.
 
Peru State would respond in the bottom of the fifth. Jesus Tavarez (Santa Domingo, D.R.) singled to center. After an out, Zach Nolin (Bonifay, Fla.) reached on a walk with Tavarez moving to second. Adam Cendejas (Chino Hills, Calif.) doubled to deep left-center to drive in both base runners to knot the score at 3-3.
 
Neither team would score in the sixth or seventh innings. Graceland would strand a base runner in the top of the eighth in the extended play.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, after an out, Pimentel homered deep down the right field line on the first pitch he saw for the walk-off home run. The Bobcats won 4-3!
 
Peru State scored its four runs on nine hits and committed two errors. The 'Jackets scored their three runs on nine hits and did not have any errors.
 
Banuelos went 3 for 3 to lead the Bobcats while Abner Vicenty (Cabo Rojo, P.R.) and Pimentel each had two hits. Cendejas was credited with two RBI while Pimentel and Banuelos each had one.
 
Alberto Rosario (Carolina, P.R.) tossed a complete game for the win. Rosario allowed nine hits, three runs – two earned, and struck out six.

GRACELAND GM ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
All of the scoring in the game came in one and one-half innings.
 
The Yellowjackets scored two in the top of the fourth to go up 2-0. Peru State responded in the bottom of the frame.
 
Nolin reached on a walk and advanced to second with a stolen base. Cendejas reached on a walk and then Nolin advanced to third with his second stolen base. Alexander Ramos (Lakeland, Fla.) hit a sacrifice bunt which advanced Cendejas to second. Pimentel hit a sac fly to center to score Nolin. Jose Chacin (Machiques, Venezuela) hit a two-run home run to deep left on a 0-0 count to put the 'Cats up 3-2 at that point.
 
The Bobcats would add some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Cendejas reached on an error with Austin Greenfield (Omaha) entering to run for Cendejas. Ramos laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Cendejas to second. Pimentel doubled to right-center to score Greenfield. After an out, Sterling Rupp (Grand Island) came in to pinch hit and singled shallow down the left-field line to advance Pimentel down to third. Banuelos would single to left to drive in Pimentel for watch would be the final score of the game.
 
The 'Cats scored their five runs on eight hits and committed one error. Graceland scored their two runs on two hits and also had one error.
 
Banuelos went three for three to lead the 'Cats. Pimentel and Chacin each had two RBI while Banuelos was credited with one.
 
Eddy Tavarez Cabrera (San Cristobal, D.R.14) tossed a complete game for the win. Tavarez Cabrera allowed two hits, two runs – 1 earned, and struck out 14.

GRACELAND GM TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
The third game of the series was cancelled as the weather conditions did not look conducive for play on Saturday.
 
Peru State had its mid-week game with Kansas Wesleyan cancelled. The Bobcats are scheduled to have two more sets of conference games this coming weekend which the likelihood of the games being played in Peru are not good. The 'Cats are to play Missouri Valley on Friday at 1 p.m. and they follow with Central Methodist (Mo.) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Missouri Valley has started the season with a 4-5 record while the Eagles are off to a 12-3 overall record and are also 2-0 in the Heart.