(Peru, Neb.) – They were supposed to play two, but Mother Nature had other plans Saturday afternoon.
 
In the only game played at the Centennial Complex Field, the Peru State softball team defeated the visiting Clarke (Iowa) Pride 6-5 in a come-from-behind fashion.
 
With the win, Peru State improved to 9-9 overall and went to 3-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The nine wins match the total wins the Bobcats have had over the past two seasons – obviously the 2020 season was cut short due to the coronavirus.
 
Clarke fell to 5-8 on the year and 1-2 in the Heart North.
 
The cancelled game will be made up as part of a triple header when the two teams meet in Dubuque on April 24.
 
Game Action
 
Peru State was able to get out of a jam in the top of the first as Clarke had base runners on the corners.

 
In the bottom of the first, Takia Walker (Enterprise, Ala.) reached on a walk, but was forced out at second as Alyiah Franco (Syracuse, Utah) reached on a fielder's choice. Franco would move to second on a stolen base. Morgan Wilke (Bakersfield, Calif.) doubled to center to drive in Franco to put the Bobcats up 1-0.
 
In the bottom of the second, Jerica German (Cortland) hit a home run on a 3-2 count to make it 2-0.
 
The Pride would cut the deficit in half in the top of the third to make it 2-1.
 
Peru State would plate two more runs in the bottom of the third. Walker singled to right on a ground out. Wilke hit a two-run home run to center on a 0-1 count to make it 4-1.
 
Clarke would score one in the top of the fourth to put the score at 4-2.
 
The Bobcats would leave the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame to keep the score at 4-2.
 
After a scoreless fifth, the Pride would score three to take the lead 5-4 with three runs in the top of the sixth.
 
In the bottom of sixth, the 'Cats caught some fire after two outs. Carlye Rothschild (Eros, La.) singled to center. Rothschild advanced to second on a wild pitch. Brooklyn Franco (Syracuse, Utah) doubled to center to drive in Rothschild to tie the game a 5-5. Franco would advance to third on the throw. Walker singled to right to drive in Franco to make it 6-5 which would prove to be the winning run.
 
Peru State scored their six runs on eight hits and committed two errors. Clarke scored their five runs on seven hits and committed one error.
 
Walker and Wilke each had two hits to lead the team while Wilke was credited with three RBI. Walker, German, and Brooklyn Franco each had one RBI.
 
Alana Krieser (Lincoln) started the game and through the first five innings and then was replaced by Devyn Butorac (Westville, Fla.) who through the sixth inning and was credited with the win. Krieser returned to toss the seventh inning and earned the save. Krieser tossed six innings and allowed five hits, two runs – one earned, and struck out six. Butorac allowed two hits and three runs – one earned.

CLARKE GAME BOOK

 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be on the road on the 17^th when they travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to take on William Penn in a double header beginning at 4 p.m. The Statesmen are 6-6 on the season and have not played any Heart games yet as their season opener was postponed due to rain.
 
The Bobcats will then travel to Canton, Mo., on March 20, to face Culver-Stockton in a double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Wildcats are 2-8 on the season and 0-2 in the Heart North.