(Peru, Neb.) – The Bethany Swedes swept the visiting Peru State Bobcat softball team on Wednesday in Lindsborg, Kan. The Swedes took the first game 7-2 and then won the second game 12-3 in five innings.
 
With the non-conference wins, Bethany improved to 13-23 while Peru State fell to 4-26.
 
First Game Action
 
Bethany scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first.
 
Peru State would take the lead in the top of the third. After two outs, Payton Beckmann (Syracuse) singled to shallow left. Beckmann would move to second when Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) reached first on a fielder's choice. On a wild pitch, both base runners advanced. Ally Hazen (North Platte) singled to drive in Beckmann with Farrell stopping at second. Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) followed with a single to score Farrell and the 'Cats led 2-1 at that point.
 
The Swedes would eventually tie it up in the bottom of the fifth and then exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth for the 7-2 win.
 
Bethany scored its seven runs on 13 hits and had one error. Peru State scored their two runs on six hits and committed three errors.
 
Beckmann and Ritchie each had two hits to lead the Bobcats. Hazen and Ritchie were each credited with one RBI.
 
Alana Krieser (Lincoln) was on the bump for the Bobcats and suffered the loss. Krieser allowed ten hits and five runs – two earned through 5.1 innings. Gabriella Stage (Topeka, Kan.) tossed the final two outs. Stage allowed three hits and two earned runs.

BETHANY GAME ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
Bethany scored first in the second game as they plated two in the bottom of the first.
 
In the top of the second, Hazen singled to right-center to start the inning, but was forced out at second as Ritchie reached on a fielder's choice. Regan Kirby (Gretna) singled to left with Ritchie moving to second. Ritchie would eventually score on the play on a Swede error.
 
Bethany would score two in the bottom of the inning to go up 4-1.
 
Peru State would come back to add a pair of runs in the top of the third. After an out, Takia Walker (Enterprise, Ala.) singled to short. After the second out, Farrell reached on a walk. Both runners would advance on a wild pitch. Hazen singled to shallow left with Walker scoring and Farrell stopping at third. Eventually Farrell would score on an error on the play. The Swedes would still have a 4-3 lead at that point.
 
Bethany would add four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings and won 12-3 by the mercy rule.
 
The Swedes scored their 12 runs on 14 hits and committed two errors. Peru State scored their three runs on five hits and had three miscues.
 
Hazen was the lone Bobcat to have two hits. She also was credited with the only RBI.
 
Ritchie started the game pitching for Peru State and was tagged for the loss. She threw four innings allowed 11 hits and eight runs – 6 earned. Bailey Bitz (Ravenna) entered and did not get an out. Bitz allowed three hits and four runs – three earned.

BETHANY GAME TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State has a busy weekend as they will play three consecutive double headers at home. On Friday, they are technically the guests as Culver-Stockton (Mo.) will be the home team. The accommodation was made due to the spring's revised travel schedule. The first game will begin at 1 p.m. On Saturday, the Bobcats will host the Wildcats again beginning at 1 p.m. Culver-Stockton is presently 18-13 overall and is 12-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Wildcats will be playing MidAmerica Nazarene on Thursday in Olathe, Kan., before heading north to Nebraska.
 
On Sunday, the 'Cats will be hosting William Penn (Iowa) in a pair of games starting at 2 p.m. The Statesmen are currently 16-22 on the year and are 7-11 in the Heart.