(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State baseball team could not get its offense going in the opening round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Baseball Postseason Tournament.
 
The 'Cats fell to Clarke (Iowa) 7-1 at the US Baseball Park in Ozark, Mo., on Thursday.
 
Clarke improved to 26-19 overall and will advance in the winners' bracket. The Bobcats fell to 20-23 and will have to work its way through the elimination bracket.

 
Game Action
 
Early on in the game, it was pretty much a pitcher's duel as Clarke scored one in the top of the third with the Bobcats scoring their lone run in the bottom of the fourth.
 
After an out in the bottom of the fourth, Darren Hasch (Destin, Fla.) singled to right. After the second out, Hasch stole second. Sterling Rupp (Omaha) singled to center to drive in Hasch for Peru State's only run.
 
Clarke would add four runs in the top of the fifth and then one each in the eighth and ninth for the 7-1 win.
 
The Pride scored their seven runs on 12 hits and committed one error. Peru State scored its lone run on six hits and had three miscues.
 
Hasch was the only Bobcat to have more than one hit as he finished the game going two for four. Rupp was credited with the lone RBI.
 
Alberto Rosario (Carolina, P.R.) started the game and was tagged for the loss. Rosario threw eight innings and allowed ten hits, six runs – five earned, and struck out five. Alfredo Barroso (Hialeah, Fla.) tossed one inning. Barroso allowed two hits, one earned run, and struck out two.

CLARKE GAME BOOK
 
Elimination Game
 
Peru State will be playing Mount Mercy (Iowa) in an elimination game beginning at 12:30 p.m. today. The Bobcats swept a three-game series from the Mustangs back at the end of March at home. Mount Mercy is 26-22 presently having lost to Central Methodist (Mo.) 5-4 in their first round game on Thursday.