(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State Bobcat softball team is fighting to gain a spot in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) post-season tournament.
 
On Friday and Saturday, they helped their cause by taking two of three against the Clarke Pride in Dubuque, Iowa.
 
The 'Cats won 4-3 on Friday and then took the opener on Saturday 6-3. Clarke took the second game 6-4.
 
With the two wins, Peru State improved to 16-25 on the season and 10-16 in the Heart North. Clarke fell to 11-31 on the year and 5-23 in conference play.
 
Friday Game Action
 
The Friday game was technically a home game for Peru State as the second game of the double header earlier in the spring was rained out between the two teams in Peru.

 
The Bobcats got on the board in the bottom of the first. Takia Walker (Enterprise, Ala.) singled to center field and moved to second when Alyiah Franco (Syracuse, Utah) singled up the middle. After two outs, Jerica German (Cortland) singled through the left side to drive in Walker to put the 'Cats up 1-0 at that point.
 
Clarke would score all of their runs in the top of the second inning to go up 3-1.
 
Peru State would tie it in the bottom of the fourth. After an out, Carli Kohout (Cortland) walked. Alaina Lacy (Lincoln) singled to shortstop with Kohout stopping at second. Payton Beckmann (Syracuse) singled up the middle to load the bases. After an out, Walker singled to left field to drive in Kohout and Lacy to knot the score at 3-3.
 
The 'Cats would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Franco walked and then stole second. On a ground out, Franco moved to third. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) would hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Franco which proved to be the winning run.
 
Peru State scored their four runs on eight hits and did not commit any errors. Clarke scored their three runs on eight hits and also did not commit any errors.
 
Walker, Lacy, and Beckmann each had two hits to lead the team. Walker was credited with two RBI while Farrell and German each added one.

 
Alana Krieser (Lincoln) tossed a complete game for the win. Krieser allowed eight hits, three earned runs, and struck out four.

FRIDAY GAME BOX SCORE
 
Saturday Game One Action
 
The Bobcats struck first in the top of the first inning. Walker reached on an error and went to second on a passed ball. On a ground out, Walker went to third. Morgan Wilke (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a home run to put the 'Cats up 2-0 at that point.
 
The Pride would score one in the bottom of the second and one in the bottom of the third to tie the score at 2-2.
 
Farrell would homer in the top of the fourth to put Peru State back on top 3-2.
 
Peru State would add three more runs in the top of the fifth. Carlye Rothschild (Eros, La.) doubled to start the frame. After an out, Franco singled with Rothschild stopping at third. Franco stole second and then Wilke hit her second home run of the contest to put the score at 6-2.
 
Clarke would score one run in the bottom of the sixth to make the final score 6-3.
 
The Bobcats scored their six runs on ten hits and had one error. The Pride scored their three runs on eight hits and also had one error.
 
Franco, Wilke, and Farrell each had two hits to lead the team in the win. Wilke was credited with three RBI while Farrell had the other RBI.

SATURDAY GAME ONE BOX SCORE
 
Saturday Game Two Action
 
Clarke scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the first.
 
The 'Cats would leave five runners on the bases in the first two innings without scoring. Then, in the top of the third, Wilke singled and went to second on a wild pitch. After two outs, Kohout singled to drive in Wilke for Peru State's first run of the game.
 
In the top of the fourth, Peru State would tie the game. Bailey Deal (Tinmath, Colo.) walked. After an out, Deal was forced out at second as Walker reached on a fielder's choice. Walker stole second and then Franco walked. Wilke doubled to drive in Walker to knot the score at 2-2.
 
The Pride would regain the lead in the bottom of the fourth by scoring three to go up 5-2. Clarke would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 6-2.
 
Peru State would have another shot in the top of the seventh. Wilke singled as did Farrell with Wilke moving to third. Brooklyn Franco (Syracuse, Utah) entered to run for Farrell. After a pitching change, German walked to load the bases. Kohout walked to drive in Wilke to put the score at 6-3. After two batters struck out swinging, Rothschild singled to drive in B. Franco. Unfortunately for the 'Cats, the next batter hit a fly ball out to end the game.
 
Clarke scored their six runs on nine hits and committed one error. Peru State scored their four runs on nine hits and also had one miscue.

 
Wilke went three for three to lead the Bobcats with Lacy adding two hits. Kohout was credited with two RBI while Wilke and Rothschild each added one.
 
Krieser (Lincoln) took the loss as she tossed a complete game. Krieser threw six innings and gave up six runs – five earned, and struck out four.

SATURDAY GAME TWO BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State is playing Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sunday before heading into the final week of the regular season. The Mustangs are 25-9 on the season and are in second in the Heart North with an 18-8 mark.
 
The Bobcats will then face Graceland (Iowa) on the road on Tuesday and then will take on Park in Parkville, Mo., on Thursday. The final regular season home double header will be Saturday, May 1, when the 'Cats host Culver-Stockton (Mo.).