(Peru, Neb.)—On Sunday afternoon the Peru State softball team was swept by Mount Mercy. The first game was a pitchers' duel as the Mustangs beat the Bobcats 2-0. In game two the 'Cats were not able to get anything going offensively as they were scoreless and lost the game 8-0. Peru State falls to 4-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play, Mount Mercy improves to 8-8 and 2-0 in conference play.
 
Below is a breakdown of what happened in each game.
 
Game 1
 
In the first inning the 'Cats were retired in order, it looked as if it was going to be the same for the Mustangs but then they got a runner on via a two out single. A walk had the Mustangs threatening with runners on first and second, but Alana Krieser (Lincoln) delivered with a strikeout to  end the inning. The Mustangs got one hit and left two on in the first.

In the second Carli Kohout (Cortland) was hit by a pitch to get the lead runner on for the Bobcats. Three strikeouts for Peru State would end the top half of the inning. Mount Mercy only got a runner on via a hit by pitch in the second.
 
More of the same in the third inning as both teams went three up three down. The 'Cats and Mustangs were searching for a run as the game stayed tie 0-0 going into the fourth.
 
Peru State would get their first hit in the fourth as Morgan Wilkie (Bakersfield, Calif.) singled. Unfortunately, she was left stranded at first base as the Bobcats still could not get anything going offensively.
 
The Mustangs started the bottom of the fourth inning with a leadoff single. Then after a one out fielders' choice, Mount Mercy hit another single as they now had runners on first and second. Then with two outs the Mustangs hit a single scoring the runner from second as Mount Mercy now led 1-0. The Mustangs scored one run off three hits and left two on base in the home half of the fourth.
 
The 'Cats in the top of the fifth had two quick outs but then Hailey Wessel (Malcolm) hit a single to try and start a rally for the Bobcats. A strikeout would end the inning as Peru State only mustered one hit and left one on in the fifth.
 
Mount Mercy started the fifth inning with a lead off walk and a sac bunt as they threatened again with a runner in scoring position. The Bobcat defense stepped up as a strike out and a line out would end the Mustang threat.
 
In the sixth Wilkie drew a two out walk but was the only Bobcat to get on base in the half inning. The Mustangs in the sixth started off with a one out single and then after a groundout moved one of their base runners to second another single scored the second run of the day for Mount Mercy. The Mustangs scored one run on two hits and left one on base.
 
The 'Cats had one last chance in the top of the seventh but went down 1-2-3 and the game would end with a Mount Mercy 2-0 victory. The Bobcats scored no runs on two hits and had no errors in game one while the Mustangs had two runs on six hits and no errors in game one.
 
Krieser pitched six innings, striking out three batters, giving up two runs on six hits the two runs were earned. Wessel and Wilkie were the only two 'Cats to get a hit in game one.
 
Game 2
 
In the first inning of game two it was more of the same offensively as the 'Cats went down in order to start game two. In the home half of game two the Mustangs started with a leadoff single. The 'Cats held defensively as the Mustangs only got one hit and left two on base in the first.
 
The Bobcats started the second inning with a one out single from Jerica German (Cortland). Peru State was not able to get anything going after that as a fielders' choice and strike out ended the half inning. The Bobcats got one hit and left one on in the second.
 
Mount Mercy started the second with a leadoff single. Later in the inning the Mustangs had runners in scoring position after a wild pitch. Then a walk loaded the bases. The Mustangs got their first run on the board via an error. Mount Mercy then successfully completed a double steal as they threatened again with runners on second and third.
 
A single on the next at-bat would score one Mustang as they now lead 2-0. Then a two out single scored two Mustangs as they now had four runs in the inning. Mount Mercy scored four runs on three hits an error and left one on base.
 
The Bobcats and Mustangs in the third inning both went down in order. In the top of the fourth inning Payton Beckmann (Syracuse) led off the fourth with a triple. Unfortunately, three quick outs ended any threat of the 'Cats scoring.
 
Mount Mercy started the home half of the fourth with a leadoff walk and then stole second to get a runner in scoring position. Then a one out walk had runners on first and second.  A single on the next at-bat scored another Mustang runner as the score was now 5-0.
 
A single loaded the bases for Mount Mercy. Right after that a single scored two runners. Later in the inning the Mustangs scored on a sac fly to make the score 8-0. Mount Mercy scored four runs on three hits and left two on base in the home half of the fourth.
 
The Bobcats had one last chance in the top of the fifth inning, but they went down in order which was the theme for much of the day offensively for Peru State. Mount Mercy won the game 8-0. The Bobcats scored zero runs on two hits and had one error in game two, the Mustangs scored eight runs on seven hits and had no errors.
 
Here's what head coach JL Thomason had to say about today's games…
 
"We just have to continue to work hard and improve on our mistakes," said Thomason. "It's a long season we have to have short term memory and focus on the next task at hand."
 
Cheyenne Leach (Wymore) pitched 2.1 innings, striking out two batters giving up four runs on four hits but only two were earned. Layla Worthington (Holladay, Utah) pitched 1.2 innings giving up four runs on three hits all four runs were earned.
 
Beckmann and German were the only two Bobcats to record a hit in game two.
 
Peru State is back at home Wednesday March 16 for a conference clash with William Penn. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.