(Peru, Neb.) – Nearly three weeks ago, the Peru State softball team opened their season with four losses. The long layoff apparently didn't bother the Bobcats as they responded with a 7-2 win over Tabor (Kan.) in the first game of the Friends Invite in Wichita, Kan., Friday afternoon.
 
Tabor fell to 6-3 on the season.
 
In the Bobcats' second game on Friday, Peru State jumped to an early lead, but could not hold off a late charge by Bethany (Kan.) as they fell 19-9.
 
Peru State is now 1-5 on the season. Bethany improved to 8-7.
 
Tabor Game Action
 

Peru State would get on the board in the top of the first inning. After two outs, Kacie Salazar (Bakersfield, Calif.) doubled to deep right-center. On a Morgan Wilke (Bakersfield, Calif.) single to center, Salazar scored to put the 'Cats up 1-0.
 
The Bluejays responded in the bottom of the first with what would be their only two runs of the game.
 
The Bobcats would take the lead for good in the top of the third. Takia Walker (Enterprise, Ala.) doubled to deep left-center. Payton Beckmann (Syracuse) singled to left-center to drive in Walker to tie the game. After two outs, Carlye Rothschild (Eros, La.) reached on an error with Beckmann coming all the way around to score to put Peru State up 3-2.
 
Neither team would score in the next two innings.
 
In the top of the sixth, the 'Cats added an insurance run. Wilke reached on an error and would go to third when Rothschild bunted and reached base on a play that included a wild throw. After Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) reached on a fielder's choice, Jordynn Jimenez (Delano, Calif.) grounded out, but was able to drive in Wilke to make it 4-2.
 
After the Bluejays stranded two in the bottom of the sixth, Peru State would plate three more insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Madison Rider (Longville, La.) singled to left to start the inning. After two outs, Salazar hit her second double to drive in Rider. Wilke followed with a single to right with Salazar stopping at third. Rothschild doubled deep down the left field line to bring home both Salazar and Wilke for what would make the final score of 7-2.
 
Peru State scored its seven runs on eight hits and committed one error. Tabor scored its two runs on five hits and had four miscues.

 
Salazar and Wilke each had two hits to lead the team. Rothschild led the team with three RBI while Beckmann, Salazar, Wilke, and Jimenez each were credited with one RBI.
 
Alana Krieser (Lincoln) threw a complete game for her first win of the season. Krieser allowed five hits, two earned runs, and struck out four.

TABOR GAME BOOK
 
Bethany Game Action
 
The Swedes scored the first run of the game in the top of the first.
 
Peru State would score the majority of their runs in the bottom of the first as 11 batters came to the plate and the 'Cats scored seven runs.
 
Walker singled to shallow right to start the frame and then stole second. After two outs is when the Bobcats did their damage. Wilke doubled to deep center to drive in Walker to tie the game. Rothschild singled to left and Wilke scored to put the 'Cats in the lead. Farrell singled to right with Rothschild stopping at third. Jimenez singled to left to bring home Rothschild and Farrell moved to second. Alyiah Franco (Syracuse, Utah) singled to shallow right-center to drive in Farrell with Jimenez moving to third. Franco went to second on the defense's difference. Rider singled to left-center to drive in the two base runners. After a pitching change, Walker singled to right with Rider moving to third. Rider would score on a wild throw for the seventh run of the inning.
 
Bethany added four runs in the top of the second to cut the lead to two at 7-5.
 
In the bottom of the inning, Salazar hit a home run over the center field fence on a 0-1 count for Peru State's only run of the frame.

 
Neither team scored in the third, but the Swedes would add two in the top of the fourth to put the score at 8-7 Peru State.
 
In the top of the fifth, Bethany took the lead by scoring four runs to go up 11-8.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Peru State would score a run. Farrell singled to first to start the inning. After an out, Franco doubled to deep left with Farrell stopping at third. After the second out, Walker singled to third to drive in Farrell to make it 11-9 at that point.
 
The Swedes would score eight in the top of the sixth inning to lead 19-9. The Bobcats could not score in the bottom of the frame and the game ended due to the mercy rule.
 
Bethany scored their 19 runs on 20 hits and committed one error. Peru State scored their nine runs on 14 hits and four miscues.
 
Walker and Farrell each had three hits to lead the team. Jimenez and Franco both had two hits. Rider led the team with one RBI.
 
Cheyenne Leach (Wymore) started the game and threw three innings. Leach tossed three innings and gave up nine hits, seven runs – six earned, and struck out one. Krieser relieved Leach and also threw three innings. Krieser gave up 11 hits, 12 runs – ten earned, and struck out four while being tagged with the loss.

BETHANY GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be playing three more games in the Friends Invite on Saturday at 10 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m.
 
The Bobcats will battle the hosts at 10 and then face York at noon. At 2 p.m., the 'Cats will take on Ottawa (Kan.). Friends is presently 4-12 on the year while York is 4-10. Ottawa started Saturday with an 8-8 mark.