(Peru, Neb.) – It was the way any team would want to start their conference season – especially at home.
 
The Peru State Bobcats swept a pair of games from the visiting Missouri Valley Vikings taking the first game 10-4 and then putting more runs on the board in the second game winning 19-3.
 
With the wins, the 'Cats improved to 6-8 on the year and went to 2-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Vikings fell to 7-9 and 0-2.
 
First Game Action
 
The Vikings got on the board first with a run in the top of the first inning. Peru State would come back to tie it in the bottom of the frame with a solo home run by Darrien Liriano (Orlando, Fla.) on a 2-1 count over the right field fence.
 
The Bobcats would leave the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, but would eventually take the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Manual Caballero (Dolega, Panama) singled through the hole at shortstop and would go to second when Joycer Raymondi (Berwyn, Ill.) reached on an error. Jaxson Balm (Auburn) entered to run for Caballero and would move to third on a Jose Chacin (Machiques, Venezuela) bunt. With the bases loaded, Mo Valley walked Hector Torres (Gurabo, Puerto Rico) to put the score at 2-1. Unfortunately, the 'Cats could not capitalize as they once again stranded three on base.

 
Peru State would add some insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Julian Fernandez (Middle Village, N.Y.) singled to left to start the frame. After an out, Caballero doubled to deep left with Fernandez eventually scoring on the throw. After the second out, Chacin singled up the middle to drive in Caballero to put the score at 4-1.
 
The 'Cats would explode for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Liriano reached on a walk and went to second on a wild pitch. Xavier Wright (Calumet City, Ill.) stepped to the plate and hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a 1-0 count. Jesus Tavarez (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) was hit by a pitch to get things going again. Fernandez singled thru the hole at shortstop with Tavarez moving to third. Jackson Tingwald (Ralston) reached on a fielder's choice with Tavarez scoring and Fernandez being forced out. After a pitching change, Caballero reached on a walk. On a 2-1 count, Raymondi hit a three-run home run over the left field fence to put the score at 10-1.
 
Mo Valley would score three in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough.
 
Peru State scored its ten runs on nine hits and had one error. The Vikings scored their four runs on nine hits and also had one miscue.
 
Fernandez, Caballero, and Chacin each had two hits for the 'Cats. Raymondi led the team with three RBI while Wright added two. Liriano, Tingwald, Chacin, and Torres each finished with one RBI.
 
Daniel Castillo (Barranquilla, Colombia) threw six innings and earned the win. Castillo allowed seven hits, one earned run, and struck out eight. Brock Renter (Valley) got one out allowing two hits and three runs – one earned. Caballero got the final two outs while striking out one.

MISSOURI VALLEY GM ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
Once again, the Vikings would score first as they plated one in the top of the first.

Peru State would respond in the bottom half of the inning and would score more than enough runs for the win. After an out, Wright singled to center and would move to second on a balk. Wright would eventually go to third on a ground out. Adam Cendejas (Chino Hills, Calif.) doubled to deep center to drive in Wright to tie the game. Tingwald doubled to right which score Cendejas. On a 0-1 count, Fernandez hit a home run over the left field fence to put the score at 4-1.
 
Missouri Valley would cut the deficit to two by plating a run in the top of the third. The 'Cats would counter with four more runs in the bottom of the inning. Tingwald singled up the middle, but was caught stealing. After an out, Raymondi reached on an error. Chacin reached on a walk and Luis Landaeta (Porlamar, Venezuela) entered to run for Chacin. On a passed ball, both runners advanced. Torres singled to shallow left-center to drive in the base runners. Liriano followed with a double and Torres scored. Wright also doubled to bring home Liriano. After three complete, Peru State led 8-2.
 
After holding the Vikings scoreless in the top of the fourth, the Bobcats would add seven more runs. Cendejas and Tingwald each reached on walks. Fernandez singled to load the bases. Raymondi followed with a single to drive in Cendejas and Tingwald with Fernandez advancing to second on the play. On a wild pitch, Fernandez went to third and Raymondi moved to second. Chacin doubled to bring home both base runners with Landaeta entering to pinch run for Chacin. On a wild pitch Landaeta moved to third and would then score when Torres singled to first. Liriano doubled down the left field line to bring home Torres. After an out, Tavarez scored and drove in Liriano to put the score at 15-2.

 
The Vikings would score one in the top of the fifth which would be their final run of the game.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the 'Cats add two more runs. Tingwald started the inning with a single to center. Landaeta doubled to deep left-center with Tingwald moving to third. After an out, Diego Rivera (Carolina, Puerto Rico) hit a sacrifice fly to deep left to score Tingwald. Eddy Pimental (San Juan, Puerto Rico) reached on an error with Landaeta scoring to make it 17-3.
 
Peru State was not done scoring as they added their final two runs in the bottom of the sixth. After an out, Tavarez singled to first. Cendejas would then hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on a 1-0 count for the final 19-3 score.
 
The 'Cats scored their 19 runs on 21 hits and did not have any errors. The Vikings scored their three runs on six hits and committed two errors.
 
Liriano and Tingwald each had three hits to lead the team. Wright, Tavarez, Cendejas, Fernandez, Raymondi, Chacin, and Torres each added two hits. Cendejas and Torres each had three RBI while Liriano, Fernandez, Raymondi, and Chacin each were credited with two.
 
Joshua Santiago (Carolina, Puerto Rico) earned the win after tossing five innings. Santiago gave up five hits, three earned runs, and struck out eight. Renter threw the final two frames. He gave up just one hit and struck out one.

MISSOURI VALLEY GM TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State travelled to Fayette, Mo., Sunday to face 20^th-ranked Central Methodist in a double header.
 
The Bobcats will travel to Crete on Tuesday to face Doane in a nine-inning game beginning at 2 p.m.