(Peru, Neb.) – There will always be a little adjustment needed when you play your first game of the year without actually having been outside before game day. That was the case for the Peru State Bobcat baseball team as they played their season opener against Friends in Rose Hill, Kansas.
 
The Falcons ended up topping the Bobcats 12-5 to improve to 2-3 on the season. The 'Cats fell to 0-1. The two teams will play a double header on Saturday.
 
Game Action
 
The first four innings were a pitcher's duel with Friends only able to muster a couple of hits in the bottom of third without scoring.
 
In the top of the fifth, Peru State would get on the board first. Jackson Tingwald (Ralston) doubled to left and then went to third when Julian Fernandez (Middle Village, N.Y.) singled to left. Eddy Pimental (San Juan, Puerto Rico) reached on a walk to load the bases. Joycer Raymondi (Berwyn, Ill.) grounded out, but drove in Tingwald with Fernandez and Pimental advancing a base. Jose Chacin (Machiques, Venezuela) doubled to right to drive in Fernandez and Pimental. That would be all Peru Sate would score but they led 3-0.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Falcons responded with six runs to go up 6-3.
 
Peru State had an opportunity to score in the top of the sixth, but left the bases loaded. In the bottom of the sixth, Friends would add a pair of runs to extend their lead to 8-3.
 
The Bobcats would add a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. After a pitching change, Chacin doubled to center with Austin Greenfield (Omaha) coming in to run for him. After a fly out, Luis Landaeta doubled to right to drive in Greenfield. Jesus Tavarez (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) reached on a walk and then both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. On a ground out, Landaeta score to make it 8-5.
 
The Falcons added four more runs in the bottom of the seventh to put the score at 12-5 – which is how the game ended up.

FRIENDS GAME BOOK
 
Statistics
 
Friends scored their 12 runs on 11 hits and had one error. The Bobcats scored their five runs on eight hits and committed four errors.
 
Tingwald, Fernandez, and Chacin each finished with two hits. Chacin drove in two runs while Landaeta, Manual Caballero (Dolega, Panama), and Raymondi each drove in one run.
 
Daniel Castillo (Burrowsville, Columbia) started on the mound for the 'Cats and was tagged for the loss. Castillo pitched 5.1 innings allowing eight hits, eight runs – six earned, and struck out four. Luis Pacheco (Miami, Fla.) came in to relieve Castillo and threw 1.1 innings. Pacheco allowed one hit and gave up four earned runs. Blake Feeken (Crete) threw the final 1.1 innings. Feeken allowed two hits and struck out one.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The two teams were scheduled to play a double header in Rose Hill on Saturday beginning at noon.
 
Peru State is scheduled two double headers next Saturday and Sunday in Kansas City, Mo., against Avila. The double headers are to start at 1 p.m. each day. The Eagles are 0-4 having played two double headers against teams in California on Thursday and Friday.
 
The 'Cats will then head to Texas the following weekend to take on Wayland Baptist in Plainview, Texas. Wayland Baptist has started the season with six straight wins – all at home.