(Peru, Neb.)—On Monday March 28, the Peru State baseball team lost both games at Mount Mercy by scores of 1-0 and 5-3. The Bobcats fall to 8-20 on the year and 6-4 in Heart conference play while the Mustangs improved to 18-6 and 9-1 and in conference play.
 
Below is a breakdown of how each game went
 
Game 1
 
In the first inning the Bobcats went down in order. The Mustangs started the home half of the first with a leadoff double. The runner would advance to third on a flyout, but the Mustangs could not capitalize with a runner 90-feet away from the plate.
 
Both teams went 1-2-3 in the second inning. For the third straight inning the 'Cats went three up three down. In the bottom of the third inning Mount Mercy led off the third inning with a single but the next batter would bounce into a double play.
 
The Mustangs were able to get one more single in the inning but were unable to score. Mount Mercy had no runs on two hits and left one on in the third inning.
 
William Reynolds (Bakersfield, Calif.) started the top of the fourth with a double. Later in the inning Jesus Tavares (Santo Domingo, D.R.) drew a two out walk as the 'Cats threatened with runners on the corners.
 
Unfortunately, a ground out would end the inning as the Bobcats scored no runs on one hit and left two on base.
 
After a one out hit by pitch, Mount Mercy doubled as they would bring in the first run of the game. The Mustang runner would advance to third via a balk, but no other damage was done. Mount Mercy scored one run on one hit and left one on.
 
Angel Andrades (Humacao, P.R.) hit a one out single for the 'Cats in the top of the fifth. Blake Denson (Broken Bow) came into pinch run for Andrades. Denson stole second to get a Bobcat runner in scoring position.
 
Peru State did not capitalize, and left Denson stranded. The 'Cats scored no runs on one hit and left one in the fifth.
 
Mount Mercy was only able to draw a walk in the bottom of the fifth inning.
 
The Bobcats in the top of the sixth inning went down in order. Mount Mercy got one base runner on via a walk. Then he would steal second and get to third after a ground out. The Mustangs did not score as they had no runs on no hits and left one on.
 
Tavares started the final inning with a leadoff single, but a frustrating game offensively for the 'Cats continued as two strikeouts and a flyout would end the game. Mount Mercy won 1-0.
 
Edgar Santos (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) pitched five innings striking out three batters giving up one run on four hits the one run was earned. He would take the loss. Juan Rodriguez (Bayamon, P.R.) rounded out the pitching for the 'Cats.
 
Andrades, Reynolds and Tavares all tied for the lead in hits with one each.
 
Game 2
 
The top of the first inning for the Bobcats went three up three down as a frustrating day from the plate continued. Mount Mercy after one out in the home half,  hit a double and then a homerun in back-to-back at-bats put the Mustangs up two early.
 
The Mustangs threatened again with a single and a walk, the runners would advance into scoring position, but they did not score. Mount Mercy scored two runs on three hits and left two on base.
 
In the second inning both teams went down in order. Peru State was able to get a base runner on with two outs in the third as Garrett Pavletich (Bakersfield, Calif.) drew a walk. The 'Cats left him stranded as they had no runs on not hits and left one on.
 
Mount Mercy went 1-2-3 in the home half of the third inning.
 
After one out in the top of the fourth Jose Solis (Los Santos, Panama) drew a walk and then a Tavares double had the 'Cats threatening with runners on second and third. Devin Adams (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) then blasted a homerun as Peru State took a 3-2 lead. The Bobcats scored three runs on two hits and left no one on.
 
The Mustangs went down in order in the bottom of the fourth. The 'Cats went 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth.
 
Mount Mercy started the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff single and then the baserunner stole second to get a Mustang in scoring position. He advanced to third on a passed ball.
 
A walk would have the Mustangs threatening with runners on the corners. Then a single tied the game for the Mustangs. The very next at-bat another single would give Mount Mercy a 4-3 lead.
 
Then an error would extend the Mustang lead by two 5-3. Mount Mercy scored three runs on three hits an error and left two on base.
 
Wesley Bradford (Bakersfield, Calif.) led off the top of the sixth with a single. Then Solis singled to get runners on first and second. A Tavares sac bunt would move the runners over into scoring position. Two strikeouts would end the inning for Peru State as they scored no runs on two hits and left two on.
 
Mount Mercy went three up three down in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Andrades drew a one out walk but the 'Cats hit into a double play to end the game as they lost 5-3.
 
Diego Oquendo (Merida, Venezuela) pitched six innings striking out 11 batters giving up five runs on six hits all five were earned. He took the loss.
 
Adams, Bradford, Solis and Tavares all tied for the lead in hits with one. Adams led the way in RBIs with three from three run shot.
 
The second half of the series got postponed due to cold temperatures in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
Peru State is at home this Friday April 1, and Saturday April 2, for a four-game series with Evangel. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. each day.