(Peru, Neb)—The Peru State baseball team split the four-game series at MidAmerica Nazarene on Monday and Tuesday. The Bobcats are now 4-18 overall and 2-2 in conference play, the Pioneers are 9-10 and 2-2 in conference play.
 
Below is a breakdown of all four games…
 
Game 1
 
The Bobcats beat the Pioneers in game one 3-1 in a defensive battle. In the top of the first the 'Cats went down in order. The Pioneers led off the home half of the first inning with a single, but the inning ended quickly with a double play and fly out.
 
Peru State started the second inning off with a bang as Jesus Tavares (Santo Domingo, D.R.) smoked one over the right field fence as the 'Cats took an early 1-0 lead. Angel Andrades (Humacao, P.R.) reached first on an error. Doel Pina (Fajardo, P.R.) came into pinch run for Andrades.
 
Xavier Wright (Calumet City, Ill.) walked later in the inning. He and Pina threatened as they advanced to second and third via a wild pitch. The 'Cats were unable to get any more runs as they would score one run on one hit and left two on base.
 
In the bottom of the second the Pioneers got two on base via an error and a walk, but Edgar Santos (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) struck out three to end the second inning. The Pioneers scores no runs on no hits an error and left two on base.
 
The 'Cats had two quick outs in the top of third, but Jose Solis (Los Santos, Panama) tried to start a two-out rally with a single. Unfortunately, the Bobcats left Solis stranded with no runs on one hit and left one on in the top half. MNU threatened with a one out double but were unable to bring him home in the bottom of the third.
 
Andrades hit a leadoff single to start the fourth inning for the 'Cats. Peru State tried getting aggressive as Pina came into pinch run for Andrades but was caught stealing and the Bobcats again were unable to score.
 
In the bottom of the fourth the Pioneers went three up three down as the 'Cats defense was stellar in game one. The 'Cats put the pressure on the Pioneers in the fifth as Garett Pavletich (Bakersfield, Calif.) walked with one out. Then William Reynolds (Bakersfield, Calif.) singled via a bunt as Peru State had runners on first and second. Peru State was not able to capitalize as fielders' choice and a fly out would end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning MNU drew a one out walk then advanced the runner to second on a sac bunt. The next at-bat a double scored the Pioneer runner tying the game at one. The Pioneers scored one run on one hit and left one on base in the fifth.
 
Josue Francisco (San Cristobal, D.R.) delivered for the 'Cats with two down as he homered giving the 'Cats a 2-1 lead. The Bobcats scored one run on one hit in the sixth.
 
The Pioneers hit a leadoff single to start the home half but the 'Cats would catch the runner stealing. The Pioneers would get another runner on via a walk, but the inning would end with one hit and one left on base.
 
 Wright started the away half of the seventh with a leadoff single. Then Pavletich singled as the 'Cats now had runners on the corners. Then Reynolds hit a sac fly as Wright would come in to score the insurance run as the bobcats now led 3-1. The half inning would end via double play. Peru State scored one run on two hits and left no one on.
 
Adams came in to close the game and the Pioneers went three up three down. The Bobcats improved to 3-16 overall and 1-0 in conference while the Pioneers fell to 7-9 and 0-1 in conference play.
 
Santos pitched six innings, striking out three batters, giving up one run on four hits. The one run was earned, and he was the winning pitcher. Adams came into close the game as he pitched one inning giving up no runs and no hits.
 
There was seven-way tie for hits as Andrades, Francisco, Pavletich, Reynolds, Solis, Tavares, and Wright all tied for one. There was a three-way tie for RBIs as Francisco, Reynolds, and Tavares each had one.
 
Game 2
 
The second game was a win for the Pioneers as the bats woke up for them in the later innings, winning the game 8-2.
 
 The Bobcats went down to start game two. The Pioneers were able to get a base runner on in the first by a walk, but he was left stranded.
 
The second inning would go down the exact same way as the 'Cats struck out three times to end their half and the Pioneers got a runner on via a walk but were not able to do anything in the home half of the second.
 
Peru State got their first hit in game two from a single by Wright. Later in the inning Wright stole second to get in scoring position but still the 'Cats could not get a runner across the plate. The Bobcats scored no runs on one hit and left one on base.
 
MNU started the third with a leadoff walk, but then a flyout and a double play would end the third. In the top of the fourth Braford was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Then it was looking as if the 'Cats would not get a run for the fourth straight inning after two fly outs.
 
Then Bradford stole second and advanced to third via an error. On the next pitch Bradford scored on a wild pitch as the 'Cats led 1-0. The Bobcats scored one run on no hits an error and left no one on base.
 
The Pioneers started the bottom of the fourth with a single, but a double play would end the inning for MNU as they were still searching for their first run of the second game.
 
In the fifth inning Wright hit a one out home run as the Bobcats extended their lead 2-0. That would be the only hit of the inning for the Bobcats Peru State scored one run on one hit and left no one on.
 
The Pioneers offense woke up in the home half of the fifth as a one out single got a base runner on, but a two out rally is where it got started for MNU. A double scored the Pioneers first run of the game.
 
Then a single would tie the game at two. After a hit by pitch and passed ball, the Pioneers threatened again with runners in scoring position. A double would score two more runners as the Pioneers took a 4-2 lead but the 'Cats did get the runner trying to advance to third.
 
After two quick outs in the top of the sixth, Solis singled (Pina came into pinch run) and Tavares walked as the 'Cats now threatened with runners on first and second. Unfortunately, both of those runners would be left on base.
 
The Pioneers started the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff home run as they extended their lead 5-2. Then two singles and a passed ball had the Pioneers threatening again. A third single in the inning scored an MNU runner as they plated their sixth run of the day.
 
On the next pitch a Pioneer baserunner scored on a wild pitch and another MNU runner stole second and then advanced to third. A sac fly would score a fourth run for the Pioneers as they now led 8-2. MNU threatened once more with runners on the corners, but the Bobcats finally got out of the inning. The Pioneers scored four runs on five hits and left two on.
 
The 'Cats had one last chance at a rally, but three strike outs would end the game. Peru State fell to 3-17 on the year and 1-1 in conference play. MNU improved to 8-9 and 1-1 in conference play.
 
The Bobcats used two pitchers in the game. Diego Oquendo (Merida, Venezuela) pitched five innings, striking out four batters, giving up five runs on six hits and all five were earned. He took the loss. John Laureano (Gurabo, P.R.) pitched one inning giving up three runs on four hits and all three were earned.
 
Wright led the way in hits and RBIs in game two as he had two hits and one RBI.
 
Game Three
 
In the third game of the series the 'Cats won a defensive battle 3-2 to take a 2-1 series lead. The Bobcats started the first inning with two singles from Reynolds and Bradford as they threatened with runners on the corners.
 
Unfortunately, the 'Cats were unable to score as they ran into a double play from a fly out to right and then was thrown out at home.  A fly out to left would end the inning. The Bobcats scored no runs on two hits and left one on base.
 
The Pioneers went three up three down in the bottom of the first. In the second the 'Cats got a leadoff runner on via hit by pitch. Peru State was unable to capitalize with no runs on no hits and left no one after being caught stealing.
 
MNU was able to get one base runner on via a two out single but was not able to do any damage. In the third inning Pavletich hit a one out single for the 'Cats. Then Reynolds walked as the Bobcats threatened with runners on first and second. After a fielders' choice the Bobcats now had runners on the corners.
 
On the next at-bat Solis hit a single and Pavletich scored as the 'Cats scored the first run of the game. Peru State scored one run on two hits and left two on base. MNU hit a two out double as the Pioneers threatened but the 'Cats bowed up defensively. MNU scored no runs on one hit and left one on base.
 
In the fourth inning after two quick outs Adams came up big with a home run as the Bobcats doubled their lead. Then the 'Cats threatened again with the bases loaded after a hit by pitch, single and a walk. The Bobcats were unable to get a runner across the plate as they left the bases juiced. The 'Cats scored one run on two hits and left three on base in the top of the fourth.
 
In the bottom of the fourth the Pioneers threatened with two walks and a single, but the Bobcats were able to get out of a bases loaded jam. MNU scored no runs on one hit and left three on base.
 
In the top of the fifth inning the 'Cats went down in order. The Pioneers in the fifth got a base runner on via a wild pitch but then three quick outs would effectively end the inning.
 
Adams in the top of the sixth would hit his second home run of the day and Peru State now led 3-0. Pavletich reached first on an error but the 'Cats only run of the inning would come from the homer.
 
The bottom of sixth started with two quick outs for the Pioneers they were able to get a single but that was the only hit of the inning for MNU.
 
In the top of seventh the only base runner of the inning for the 'Cats was a walk after two outs, but they were unable to bring around the base runner to score.
 
In the bottom of the seventh inning the Pioneers they gave the 'Cats a scare as they got the bases loaded via an error a single and a walk. A sac fly scored one run for the Pioneers as they cut the Bobcat lead to two.
Then on the next pitch MNU singled and scored as the 'Cats lead had dwindled to one. Luckily the 'Cats held onto a 3-2 victory.
 
Sebastian Rodriguez (Cayey, Puerto Rico) pitched a complete game as he struck out 12 batters giving up two runs on six hits, but none were earned.
 
Adams led the way with hits and RBIs as he homered solo twice in game three.
 
Game 4
 
MNU in the final game of the series got the best of the Bobcats as they scored 11 runs on the way to an 11-2 victory to split the series. In the top of the first inning the 'Cats went three up three down.
 
MNU was able to get a runner in scoring position via a hit by pitch and a stolen base. The Pioneers were unable to get capitalize as they'd leave the runner on first.
 
In the second inning the 'Cats were able to get a runner on base via an error after a strikeout that should have ended the half inning but again were unable to get the runner home. In the bottom of the second the Pioneers threatened with the bases juiced as they got on by way of an error, single and a walk. Peru State was able to get out of the inning as MNU left the bases loaded in the second.
 
The top of third was quick for the 'Cats as they went down in order. In the home half of the third the Pioneers threatened again with a runner in scoring position after a single and stolen base. MNU would leave the runner stranded as they scored no runs on one hit and left one on base.
 
The 'Cats started the fourth with a one out single. Later in the inning the Bobcats had runners on the corners with two outs after a fielders' choice and a single. Peru State left both runners on the corners stranded as they had no runs on two hits and left two on.
 
The Pioneers offense exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning, they started with a leadoff single and then a steal would get a pinch runner in scoring position. On the next at-bat the Pioneers hit a home run as they broke open the scoring 2-0.
 
Then the Pioneers threatened again as they had runners on first and second after a hit by pitch, stolen base and a walk. A single would bring another Pioneer base runner home. MNU loaded the bases with a single and then a sac fly scored a fourth Pioneer and after an error MNU plated their fifth run of the fourth. MNU later in the inning would score stealing home. The Pioneers scored six runs on five hits two errors and left one on base.
 
In the top of the fifth Adams continued his hot day as he homered again putting 'Cats on the board. Then two singles later in the inning by Pavletich and Bradford had the 'Cats threatening to score again. Solis would bring Pavletich home as he singled. Peru State scored two runs on four hits and left two on in the top of the fifth.
 
The Pioneers went down in order in the home half of the fifth. Adams in the top of the sixth drew a two out walk and then stole second to get in scoring position, the 'Cats were unable to capitalize as they would leave Adams on second.
 
The Pioneers offense had a big inning in the sixth as they got a leadoff runner via a hit by pitch. Then a sac bunt got the runner in scoring position. Then he stole third as MNU was 90 feet from scoring again.
 
The bases were loaded after two walks one intentional. Then a single scored one base runner making the score 6-2. On the next at-bat a pinch hitter came into the game for the Pioneers, and he hit a grand slam as the Pioneers blew the game open now leading 10-2. The Pioneers scored one more in the sixth as they scored five runs on three hits and left one on base.
 
In the top of the seventh the 'Cats threatened with a couple of walks to get base runners on, unfortunately, the Bobcats could not muster a two-out rally. Peru State fell to MNU 11-2. Peru State is now 4-18 and 2-2 in conference play. MNU is 9-10 and 2-2 in conference play.
 
Enmanuel Cabrera (Villa Gonzalez, D.R.) started on the mound for the 'Cats as he pitched 3.2 innings, striking out seven batters, giving up six runs on seven hits and five were earned. He took the loss. Juan Rodriguez (Bayamon, P.R.) pitched 1.1 innings striking out one batter giving up no runs and no hits. Jose Diana (Santa Isabel, P.R.) pitched one inning striking out one batter giving up five runs on three hits and all five runs were earned.
 
Solis led the way in hits in game four as he had two. There was a two-way tie for RBIs as Adams and Solis each had one.
 
Here's what assistant coach Reiner Mendez said about the series…
 
"The Bobcats split the first conference series showing that playing a tough schedule early can pay off," said Mendez. "The 'Cats won two tight games against a tough opponent, showing some fierce competition from the pitching side, and hitting some key home runs."
 
The Bobcats will be back in action this weekend Saturday March 19 and Sunday March 20 for the home opener. They will face off against conference foe Culver Stockton. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. each day.