(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State softball team opened its 2021 season with a split against Southwestern in Winfield, Kan., on Thursday.
 
The Bobcats won their first game of the season by taking the first game 8-1 over the Moundbuilders. Southwestern then took the second game 6-4.
 
Game One Action
 
Peru State got on the board in the top of the first. Takia Walker (Enterprise, Ala.) singled to the infield to start the game. After an out, Morgan Wilke (Bakersfield, Calif.) singled to center with Walker advancing to third. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) hit a sacrifice fly which brought Walker home to make it 1-0.

 
The 'Cats would add a run in the top of the third. Bailey Deal (Timnath, Colo.) singled to right and then stole second. After an out, Carli Kohout (Cortland) reached on an error with Deal advancing to third. On a ground out by Wilke, Deal scored to make the score 2-0.
 
The Bobcats would strike it big in the top of the fourth. Hailey Wessel (Malcolm) singled to the infield and went to second when Carlye Rothschild (Eros, La.) singled to the infield. Brianna Harper (Southpart, Fla.) entered to run for Wessel. Patricia Trice (Nebraska City) singled to left to load the bases. Alyiah Franco (Syracuse, Utah) reached on a fielder's choice with Harper scoring. All base runners were safe on a bobble. Deal reached with a walk to drive in Rothschild. On a wild pitch, Trice tried to score but was tagged out with the other base runners advancing. Walker walked to load the bases. Kohout singled to center to drive in Franco. Wilke hit a sac fly to left to score Deal. Farrell doubled to left-center to bring home Walker and Kohout. At the end of the inning, the 'Cats led 8-0.
 
Southwestern would score their lone run in the bottom of the frame which proved to be the final score of the game.
 
Peru State scored their eight runs on 12 hits and had no errors. The Moundbuilders scored their one run on nine hits and committed two errors.
 
Walker, Wilke, Wessel, and Rothschild each had two hits to lead Peru State. Farrell led the team with three RBI while Wilke had two. Kohout and Deal each were credited with one RBI.
 
Alana Krieser (Lincoln) started the game and earned the win. Krieser tossed 5.1 innings and allowed 7 hits, 1 earned run, and struck out 3. Cheyenne Leach (Wymore) threw 1.2 innings. Leach allowed 2 hits and struck out 1.

SOUTHWESTERN GAME ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
Southwestern struck first in the second game by scoring two in the bottom of the first.

Peru State would regain the lead in the top of the third. Walker singled to left and went to second as Kohout reached on an error. Wilke tripled to deep right-center to drive in Walker and Kohout to tie the score at 2-2. On a passed ball, Wilke scored to put Peru State up 3-2 at that point.
 
The Moundbuilders tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth. They took the lead in the bottom of the sixth by plating three.
 
The Bobcats tried to rally in the top of the seventh. Farrell singled to center with Alaina Lacy (Lincoln) entering to run for Farrell. Wessel singled to right-center with Lacy stopping at second. Brooklyn Franco (Syracuse, Utah) entered to run for Wessel. After an out, Gracie Mejia (Green Valley, Ariz.) reached base on a misplayed grounder with Lacy scoring and Franco moving to third. Unfortunately for the 'Cats, they would leave runners at third and second as the next two batters were retired.
 
Southwestern scored their six runs on eight hits and committed four errors. Peru State scored their four runs on nine hits and had three miscues.
 
Walker, Wilke, Farrell, and Rothschild each had two hits to lead Peru State. Wilke was credited with two RBI.
 
Layla Worthington (Holladay, Utah) tossed a complete game for the Bobcats and suffered the loss. Worthington allowed eight hits, six runs – four earned, and struck out six.

SOUTHWESTERN GAME TWO GAME  BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will stay in Kansas and play a pair of double headers on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, they will be in North Newton to take on Bethel at 1 p.m. The Threshers are 1-1 on the year having split a double header earlier in the week with Hastings.
 
The Bobcats will then go to McPherson, Kan., to take on McPherson at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The Bulldogs are also 1-1 on the year having split with Central Christian. They will face Morningside (Iowa) on Saturday.