(Peru, Neb.) – The Bobcat baseball team earned another Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Post-season Tournament berth by topping the visiting Mount Mercy (Iowa) Mustangs Saturday 14-7.
 
With the win, Peru State improved to 26-26-1 on the season and more importantly to 20-10 in the Heart North. Mount Mercy fell to 29-17 on the year and 17-13 in the Heart North.
 
Game Action
 
After getting out of a little jam in the top of the first inning, Peru State plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Hector Torres (Gurabo, P.R.) singled to the pitcher's mound and would move to second on a passed ball. After an out, Adam Cendejas (Chino Hills, Calif.) hit a home run over the right field fence on a 2-2 count to put the 'Cats up 2-0 at the end of one inning.

 
The Bobcats found themselves in another jam in the top of the second, but once again escaped unscathed. Peru State would add additional runs in the bottom of the frame. Jesus Tavarez (Santo Domingo, D.R.) singled to shallow right and would go to third when Jackson Tingwald (Ralston) doubled to right. After an out, Jose Chacin (Machiques, Venezuela) hit a sac fly to center on which Tavarez scored and Tingwald moved to third. Torres was hit by a pitch and Luis Landaeta (Porlamar, Venezuela) would reach on an error. Tingwald would score on the error and both base runners advanced. Cendejas would reach on a walk to load the bases. Manuel Caballero (Dolega, Panama) reached on a walk to drive in Torres to make it 5-0 at that point.
 
Mount Mercy would score one in the top of the third on a Bobcat error.
 
The 'Cats would get that run back in the bottom of the inning as Xavier Wright (Calumet City, Ill.) hit a home run over the center field fence on a 1-1 count. Through three complete, it was Peru State 6, Mount Mercy 1.
 
The Mustangs would score two in the top of the fifth and added one more in the top of the sixth to make the game interesting at 6-4 with the Bobcats still leading.
 
Peru State would break the game open in the bottom of the sixth as they scored six runs. Torres was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Landaeta doubled to deep right-center with Torres scoring. On a sac fly, Landaeta advanced to third. Caballero singled thru the hole at shortstop with Landaeta scoring. After another out, Tavarez doubled to deep right with Caballero scoring. Tingwald was issued an intentional walk and the Mustangs made a pitching changed. Wright stepped to the plate and hit a home run over the center field fence on a 2-2 count to put the score at 12-4 after six complete innings.
 
Mount Mercy scored one in the top of the seventh, but the Bobcats matched it in the bottom of the inning. After two outs, Caballero singled up the middle. Devin Adams (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) entered to run for Caballero at that point. Jose Solis (Los Santos, Panama) singled to deep right-center with Adams scoring to make it 13-5.

 
Peru State would score their final run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. After two outs, Chacin doubled to deep left-center. Tyler Levy (Nebraska City) entered to run for Chacin. After a pitching change, Torres singled to left to drive in Levy.
 
The Mustangs would score two runs in the top of the ninth, but it would not be near enough as the 'Cats would win 14-7.
 
The Bobcats scored their 14 runs on 17 hits and committed two errors. Mount Mercy scored their seven runs on 14 hits and committed one error.
 
Tavarez and Chacin each had three hits to lead Peru State in the win. Torres, Landaeta, Caballero, and Wright each finished with two hits. Wright led the team with four RBI while Landaeta, Cendejas, and Caballero were each credited with two RBI.
 
Sebastian Rodriguez (Cayey, P.R.) started the game on the mound for Peru State. Rodriguez tossed four innings and allowed four hits, three earned runs, and struck out six. He had started the fifth inning, but did not record an out. Daniel Castillo (Barranquilla, Colombia) entered and completed two innings and earned the win. Castillo allowed three hits, one earned run, and struck out two. Joshua Santiago (Carolina, P.R.) threw the final three innings. Santiago gave up seven hits, three earned runs, and struck out two.

MOUNT MERCY GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be competing in the Heart's Post-Season Tournament which will begin next Thursday in Ozarks, Mo.