(Peru, Neb.) – When you are playing the top team in your division and one who is receiving votes in the most recent Top 25 poll and you get the series win, there is a reason to have a small celebration.
 
That was the case Monday afternoon at the Centennial Complex Field on the Peru State campus as the Bobcat baseball team swept the visiting Clarke Pride to win the four-game series. After splitting with the Pride on Sunday, the 'Cats won both on Monday.
 
In a very long first game, the Bobcats outlasted Clarke 10-7 as both teams had two big innings in a contest that lasted nearly three hours. The second game was not as long, but the 'Cats prevailed 5-2.
 
With the two wins on Monday, Peru State improved to 16-18-1 overall and more importantly to 12-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The Pride fell to 25-11 on the season and to 15-5 in the North. The Bobcats are now in third in the North – just two games out of first behind Clarke and just one game out of second behind Mount Mercy (Iowa).

 
Game One Action
 
Peru State got on the board first in the bottom of the first. After an out, Luis Landaeta (Porlamar, Venezuela) singed to second. Then, on the second pitch he saw, Adam Cendejas (Chino Hills, Calif.) hit a home run to right to give the 'Cats an early 2-0 lead.
 
That lead was short-lived as Clarke rang up five runs in the top of the second to go up 5-2.
 
After getting out of a jam in the top of the third with no runs and the bases loaded, the 'Cats regained the lead in the bottom of the inning. Gustavo Rivera (Bayamon, P.R.) singled to second. Tyler Levy (Nebraska City) entered to run for Rivera. Hector Torres (Gurabo, P.R.) reached on a walk with Levy moving to second. Landaeta was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a pitching change, after a strike out, there was a bobble by the Pride which allowed Levy to score and the other base runners advanced. Torres would score with Landaeta moving to third on a double steal. Manuel Caballero (Dolega, Panama) singled thru the hole at second base to drive in Landaeta. After another pitching change, Jose Solis (Los Santos, Panama) reached on a walk with Caballero moving to second. Jesus Tavarez (Santo Domingo, D.R.) also walked to load the bases. After another pitching change, Jackson Tingwald (Ralston) singled thru the hole at second base with Caballero coming home to score. Xavier Wright (Calumet City, Ill.) singled to second with Solis scoring to put the 'Cats up 8-5 when the inning finally ended.
 
Clarke would add one run in the each of the top of the fourth and fifth innings to make it 8-7.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Tingwald homered to center to put the score at 9-7.
 
Then, in the bottom of the sixth, the Bobcats would add an additional insurance run. Solis reached as he was hit by a pitch. He moved to second on a sac bunt by Tavarez and then went to third on a ground out. Wright tripled to left to bring home the final run of the game.
 
Peru State scored its ten runs on 11 hits and committed three errors. Clarke scored their seven runs on six hits and also had three miscues.
 
Caballero, Tingwald, and Wright each had three hits to lead the Bobcats. Cendejas, Tingwald, and Wright each had two RBI while Caballero was credited with one.
 
Sebastian Rodriguez (Cayey, P.R.) started on the mound for the Bobcats. Rodriguez tossed two innings and allowed four hits, five runs – three earned, and struck out two. Joshua Santiago (Carolina, P.R.) threw the next three innings and was credited for the win. Santiago gave up two hits, two earned runs, and struck out three. Devin Adams (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) tossed the final two innings and earned the save. Adams did not allow any hits and struck out three.

CLARKE GAME ONE GAME BOOK
 
Game Two Action
 
Neither team got on the score board through the first two and one-half innings.
 
In the bottom of the third, Peru State would plate enough runs to actually win the game. After an out, Jose Chacin (Machiques, Venezuela) singled thru the hole at short stop. Levy entered to run for Chacin and would go to third on a wild pitch. Following a fly out, Levy would eventually score on the play due to a wild throw. Landaeta doubled to center and would come in to score when Cendejas doubled. Tingwald singled with Cendejas scoring. On the play, Tingwald would move to second. Solis followed with a single and Tingwald scored to make it 4-0.
 
Clarke would score one in the top of the fourth and one in the top of the fifth while leaving the bases loaded to make it 4-2. The Pride would eventually leave two base runners on in each of the next two innings without scoring.
 
Peru State would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Solis singled to second with Levy entering to run. Levy would move to third on a pick off try and would later score on a sac fly from Tavarez.
 
The Bobcats scored their five runs on seven hits and did not commit any errors. Clarke scored their two runs on eight hits and committed four errors.
 
Solis went three for three to lead Peru State. Cendejas, Tingwald, Solis, and Tavarez were each credited with one RBI.
 
Caballero started the game for the 'Cats and was credited with the win. He threw five innings allowing five hits, two earned runs, and struck out eight. John Laureano (Gurabo, P.R.) went the final two innings and earned the save. Laureano gave up three hits while striking out two.

CLARKE GAME TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games

 
Peru State will play a non-conference double header against Doane at Werner Park in Papillion beginning at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
 
This weekend, the 'Cats will host Missouri Valley in a pair of double headers beginning at 1 p.m. each day. The Vikings are currently 11-25 on the season and are 4-14 in conference play. It will be Senior Day for the Bobcats on Saturday.