(Peru, Neb.) – The Bobcat baseball team split with the visiting MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (MNU) Pioneers on Friday at the Peru State Centennial Complex Field.
 
Peru State won the opener 6-2 and then the Pioneers came back to take the second game 9-4.
 
With the split, the Bobcats' record is now 18-22 overall and 14-11 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Pioneers moved their record to 16-14 on the season and 14-9 in conference play.
 
First Game Action
 
The Bobcats struck first in the bottom of the first inning. After two outs, Darren Hasch (Destin, Fla.) singled to shallow right. Hasch went to second on a stolen base. Adam Cendejas (Chino Hills, Calif.) tripled to deep right to put Peru State up 1-0.

 
The Pioneers tied the score in the top of the third at 1-1.
 
In the bottom of the third, Peru State regained the lead. Joshua Banuelos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) singled to shallow right to start the inning. Banuelos moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Luis Landaeta (Porlamar, Venezuela). On a fly out, Banuelos advanced to third. Banuelos would eventually score on a passed ball to make it 2-1.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene would again knot it up at 2-2 in the top of the fourth only to see Peru State regain the lead in the bottom of the inning. After a pitching change, Cendejas singled to left. Jaxson Balm (Auburn) entered to run for Cendejas. Sterling Rupp (Grand Island) hit a sac bunt and Balm moved to second. On a single by Abner Vincenty (Cabo Rojo, P.R.), Balm score to put the 'Cats up 3-2 at that point.
 
Peru State would add three insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Landaeta singled thru the hole at short stop and would move to third when Jesus Tavarez (Santo Domingo, D.R.) singled to deep center. Tavarez would advance to second on the throw. Landaeta would end up scoring on a throwing error with Tavarez advancing to third. Hasch tripled to right to drive in Tavarez. Cendejas hit a sac fly to deep left which brought Hasch home for the final 6-2 score.
 
The 'Cats scored their six runs on ten hits and committed one error. MNU scored its two runs on six hits and also had one error.
 
Hasch and Cendejas each had two hits to lead the team. Cendejas was credited with two RBI while Hasch and Vincenty each had one RBI.
 
Ben Carr (Omaha) tossed a complete game for the win. Carr allowed six hits, two runs – one earned, and struck out five.

MNU GAME ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
The Pioneers jumped on top first with a pair of runs in the top of the first.
 
In the bottom of the second, Peru State would plate three runs to regain the lead. Cendejas led off with a single to shallow left-center. Rupp reached on a walk to move Cendejas to second. Vincenty hit a sac bunt to advance the runners. Chaz Dunn (Falls City) singled to shallow right to score Cendejas with Rupp stopping at third. Jose Chacin (Machiques, Venezuela) singled to shallow right-center which scored Rupp and moved Dunn to third. On a sac fly by Banuelos, Dunn scored to make the score 3-2.
 
MNU tied the game in the top of the third and then took the lead with one in the top of the fifth. The Pioneers would add five runs in the top of the sixth to lead 9-3.
 
Peru State would get their last run in the bottom of the seventh. Banuelos reached as he was hit by the pitch. Banuelos would go to second on a ground out and then to third on a passed ball. On another ground out, Banuelos scored.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene scored their nine runs on ten hits and had one error. Peru State scored their four runs on seven hits and did not commit any errors.
 
Seven different Bobcats had hits in the game – Landaeta, Tavarez, Hasch, Cendejas, Rupp, Dunn, and Chacin. Tavarez, Dunn, Chacin, and Banuelos each were credited with an RBI.
 
Reiner Mendez (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) threw the first five innings and suffered the loss. Mendez allowed five hits, four earned runs, and struck out four. Jose Mendez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) got one out. Mendez allowed three hits, five earned runs, and struck out one. Alfredo Barroso (Hialeah, Fla.) got the next outs while allowing one hit and struck out one. Ricky Broxson (Panama City, Fla.) tossed the final inning and allowed just one hit.

MNU GAME TWO GAME BOOK