(Peru, Neb.)—On Saturday, April 9, and Sunday April 10, the Peru State baseball team won three of four games to take the series against Graceland. The Bobcats are now 15-21 overall and 13-5 in Heart conference play while the Yellowjackets are 10-28 and 3-17 in conference play.
 
The two teams played in the annual Strike Out Cancer series that Graceland puts on every year where they auction off jerseys for the KU Cancer Center. This year the proceeds are going to Payton Higgins, an Outfielder for the Bellevue University Bruins who had his senior season cut short as he was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma (lung cancer). Higgins will be named to the 2022 NAIA National Scholar-Athlete roster.
 
Graceland started auctioning off authentic Navy/Pink Nike uniforms on Saturday and they will continue to do so through April 23^, with the bidding starting at $100 and option to buy them now at $200. For more information, please visit gujackets.com.
 
Below is a breakdown of how each of the four games went…
 
Game 1
 
In the first inning William Reynolds (Bakersfield, Calif.)  hit a one out double and then a two out single from Jose Solis (Los Santos, Panama) scored the first run of the game for the Bobcats.

 Jesus Tavares (Santo Domingo, D.R.) hit a single but him and Solis would be left on base. Peru State scored one run on three hits and left two on base.
 
Graceland started the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff single, but the baserunner would be caught trying to steal second. A strikeout and a ground out ended the inning for the Yellowjackets. They had no runs on one hit and left no one on.
 
The second inning was three up three down for both teams. Johan Booyens (Johannesburg, South Africa) started the top of the third with a double. Then with one out Wesley Bradford (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a sac fly to left field as the 'Cats now led 2-0. Peru State scored one run on one hit and left no one on.
 
The Yellowjackets in the bottom of the third hit a leadoff single but the Bobcats then got a double play from a strike out and the runner trying to steal second. After a hit by pitch and a double the 'Jackets threatened with runners in scoring position. A double on the next at-bat then scored two runs to tie the game.
 
A walk would load the bases with two outs, but no more damage was done. Graceland scored two runs on three hits and left two on base.
 
Tavares started the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff double and then a second straight double from Angel Andrades (Humacao, P.R.) had the Bobcats retake the lead. Then with two down Garett Pavletich (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a double as Andrades came into score. A fourth double of the inning by Booyens scored Pavletich as the 'Cats led 5-2. Peru State scored three runs on four hits and left one on.
 
The Yellowjackets hit a one out single and with two outs reached on an error as they threatened with runners on the corners. A flyout ended the inning for the 'Jackets. Graceland had no runs on one hit an error and left two on.
 
Peru State went down in order in the top of the fifth inning. In between a pop up and a strike out the 'Jackets loaded the bases from two walks and a hit by pitch. The 'Cats bowed up defensively as there was no damage done. Graceland had no runs on no hits and left three on.
 
The sixth inning was promising for the 'Cats as Andrades singled and then Devin Adams (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) singled on a bunt. Unfortunately, the inning came to a quick close as the Bobcats hit into a triple play. Peru State had no runs on two hits and left no one on.
 
The Yellowjackets started the home half of the sixth inning with a leadoff single and the base runner advanced to second on a wild pitch. Then an error would put Graceland's runners on the corners. A second error of the inning would score a Graceland run as they trimmed the lead to two.
 
Then with two outs a third error of the inning scored two runs as the game was now tied at five. The 'Jackets scored three runs on one hit three errors and left one on in the sixth.
 
Pavletich led off the away half of the final inning with a single. Enmanuel Cabrera (Villa Gonzalez, D.R.) came into pinch run. He would be bounced from a fielder's choice. Then Reynolds singled as the 'Cats threatened with runners on first and second.
 
A double from Bradford broke the tie as the Bobcats now led the Yellowjackets 6-5. A double from Solis scored two more runs for the 'Cats. A third straight hit from Tavares gave the 'Cats their ninth run of the game.
 
Adams with two down then tripled to score Tavares. Blake Denson (Broken Bow) hit an RBI single as the 'Cats brought the lead back up to six leading 11-5. Peru State scored six runs on seven hits an error and left one on.
 
Adams struck out the side in the final inning as the Bobcats held onto an 11-5 win.
 
Edgar Santos (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) pitched 4.2 innings striking out five batters, giving up two runs on five hits the two runs were earned. Juan Rodriquez (Bayamon, P.R.) pitched 1.1 innings striking out two batters giving up three runs on one hit, but no runs were earned. Adams finished off the pitching for the 'Cats.
 
Tavares led the way in hits as he had three in game one. Solis had the lead in RBIs with three in game one.
 
Game 2
 
Reynolds with one out doubled in the first inning but that would be the only hit for the 'Cats as they had no runs on one hit and left one on in the first. Graceland went 1-2-3.
 
The 'Cats and the 'Jackets both went down in order in the second inning. Pavletich singled with one out in the top of the third he was then caught trying to steal second. The 'Cats had no runs on one hit, and no one left.
 
The Yellowjackets went three up three down in the home half of the third inning. Reynolds reached on an error to start the fourth inning. Then with two down Tavares blasted one over the fence to score the first two runs of the game for the 'Cats. Denson would single but that would be it for the Bobcats. Peru State scored two runs on two hits an error and left one on.
 
Graceland with one down hit a single and a hit by pitch put runners on first and second. The two runners would advance to scoring position from a wild pitch. A strikeout and a fly out would end the inning. Graceland had no runs on one hit and left two on.
 
Gustavo Rivera (Bayamon, P.R.) was hit by pitch to start the fifth for the 'Cats. Josue Francisco (San Cristobal, D.R.) came into pinch run. Reynolds with two down hit a double to bring in Francisco for the third run of the game. Peru State scored one run on one hit and left one on.
 
Graceland started the home half of the fifth reaching on an error. The 'Jackets were unable to bring him into score. The Yellowjackets had no runs on no hits an error and one left.
 
Solis hit a leadoff double to start the sixth inning. Cabrera came into run. Tavares walked and a Denson bunt loaded the bases for the 'Cats. Rivera hit a sac fly to center to score Cabrera. The 'Cats scored one run on two hits and left two on.
 
Graceland got their first run of the game after a base runner reached on an error; a double brought in the runner. The Yellowjackets were able to draw a walk but that was it for Graceland. The 'Jackets scored one run on one hit an error and left two on.
 
Reynolds drew a one out walk to start the seventh inning. Then a Bradford single and advance to second would have the 'Cats with two runners in scoring position.
 
A Solis single then brought in two more Bobcats. Tavares next at the plate hit his second home run of the game this time another two run jack as the 'Cats led 8-1. Adams singled with two outs and Rivera drew a walk, but the runners would be left stranded but not before the 'Cats scored four runs on four hits and left two on.
 
Graceland led off the home half of the final inning with a single. A strikeout and two fly outs ended the game as Peru State won 8-1.
 
Diego Oquendo (Merida, Venezuela) pitched a complete game striking out 12 batters giving up one run on three hits, but the run was not earned.

Denson, Solis and Tavares tied for hits in game two with two each. Tavares was the sole leader in RBIs with four from his two homeruns.
 
Game 3
 
The Bobcats went three up three down in the first inning of the third game. Graceland got a base runner on from a hit by pitch, but the runner would be the last out of the inning as he was caught stealing.
 
Solis hit a leadoff single to start the top half of the second inning. Tavares then hit a two run shot as the 'Cats led 2-0 early. Peru State scored two runs on two hits and left no one on.
 
Graceland started the home half of the second with a double. They would leave the base runner stranded. The Yellowjackets had no runs on one hit and left one on.
 
Pavletich started the third by reaching on an error. Then Booyens reached on an error trying for a sac bunt but both runners would be safe as the Bobcats threatened with runners on first and second.
 
Reynolds then singled from a bunt to load the bases for the 'Cats. Bradford then hit into a double play, but it was productive as Pavletich came into score for the third run of the game.
 
Solis then drew a walk with two down. Tavares then doubled as Booyens came into score as Peru State now led 4-0. Andrades then hit a double as two more Bobcat runners came into score as they now led 6-0. Peru State scored four runs on three hits two errors and left one on.
 
Graceland managed a two out single in the bottom of the third but were unable to bring the base runner into score.
 
The 'Cats had a promising start to the fourth inning as Denson walked and then Pavletich reached on an error. Denson unfortunately was picked off at second. The 'Cats had no runs on no hits an error and left one on.
 
Graceland hit a one out double but again the 'Jackets were unable to bring the baserunner around to score. The 'Jackets had no runs on one hit and left one on.
 
Solis singled with one out in the top of the fifth but was then bounced in a fielder's choice. Andrades then hit a double as Tavares came into score. Francisco came into pinch run for Andrades. Adams then singled up the middle as the Bobcats threatened with runners on the corners.
 
Denson then hit an RBI double as the 'Cats now led 8-0. Peru State scored two runs on four hits and left two on in the fifth.
 
After a one out walk the 'Jackets scored their first run of the game from a double. Graceland would get one more base runner on from a walk but there would be no other damage done. The 'Jackets scored one run on one hit and left two on in the fifth.
 
Bradford hit a two out single in the sixth and advanced to second on a wild pitch but the 'Cats were unable to bring him home. Peru State had no runs on one hit and left one on.
 
Graceland started the top of the sixth with a walk and a single as they had runners on the corners. Then a one out single scored the second run of the game for the 'Jackets. Graceland loaded the bases with a second straight single. Then a fielder's choice and an error scored the second run of the game. A hit by pitch had the score now 8-4 in the bottom of the sixth.
 
A double then scored two more 'Jacket runners as they had closed the gap to just two runs. Then a balk scored another runner as they trailed by just one run. A single with two outs tied the game at eight apiece. Then a double gave Graceland a 9-8 lead. The 'Jackets scored eight runs on six hits an error and left one on.
 
Andrades singled with one out in the top of the seventh but the 'Cats were unable to bring in the tying run as they lost the game 9-8.
 
Sebastian Rodriguez (Cayey, P.R.) pitched 5.1 innings striking out eight batters giving up seven runs on seven hits six runs were earned. John Laureano (Gurabo, P.R.) pitched .1 innings striking out one batter giving up two runs on three hits. Adams rounded out the pitching.
 
Andrades led the way in hits in game three with three. Andrades and Tavares tied for RBIs as each of them had three.
 
Game 4
 
Booyens started game four off with a leadoff walk. Then Reynolds singled as the 'Cats had runners on first and second. Booyens scored on an error by the third basemen for the first run of the game. Then Solis hit an RBI single as the Bobcats led 2-0.
 
Tavares then singled as the Bobcats' hot first inning continued. A three run shot from Andrades had the Bobcats up 5-0. Adams then hit a triple and a productive ground out brought him into score for the sixth run of the first.
 
Pavletich singled but the 'Cats were unable to bring him in. Peru State scored six runs on six hits two errors and left one on.
 
Graceland started the bottom of the first with two walks and then after both runners advanced into scoring position from a wild pitch, they both scored from a single.
 
Then after a balk and a hit by pitch a second single of the inning cut the Bobcat lead in half. The 'Jackets got another runner on from a walk but were not able to bring him around. Graceland scored three runs on two hits and left three on base.

Both teams went three up three down in the second inning.
 
Tavares was hit by a pitch to start the third inning. After two quick outs Rivera drew a walk. Francisco came into pinch run. Then Pavletich reached on an error as Tavares and Francisco came into score. Peru State scored two runs on no hits an error and one left on.
 
Two doubles with one out in the bottom of the third had the 'Jackets bring in another run as they now trailed 8-4. Graceland scored one run on two hits and left one on.
 
Solis hit a two out double but the 'Cats were unable to bring him home in the top of the fourth.
 
Graceland threatened in the bottom of the fourth with a one out single and a walk. The base runners advanced into scoring position from a wild pitch. Then a productive ground out scored the fifth run of the game for the Yellowjackets. Graceland scored one run on one hit and left one on.
 
Peru State went down in order in the top of the fifth. Graceland led off the home half of the fifth with a double. Then after a walk and a wild pitch the 'Jackets had runners in scoring position. Graceland with one down scored on a wild pitch as they now trailed 8-6. The Yellowjackets scored one run on one hit and left one on.
 
Pavletich hit a leadoff single in the top of the sixth. Elijah Boersen (Cairo) came into pinch run. He would be bounced on a fielder's choice. Reynolds singled as the 'Cats had runners on first and second. A double play ended the inning for Peru State. The Bobcats had no runs on two hits and left one on.
 
Graceland kept the hot bats going as they hit a leadoff single in the home half of the sixth. Then the base runner would be picked off at first. The Yellowjackets with two down doubled and the base runner advanced to third from a wild pitch. A walk had base runners on the corners.
 
Then a single brought in the seventh run of the game for the 'Jackets. A wild pitch then tied the game at eight heading into the final inning. Graceland scored two runs on three hits and left one on.
 
Peru State went three up three down in the top half of the seventh. Graceland also went three up three down as the teams went to extras.
 
In the top of the eighth with two down the Pavletich hit a double and then got 90-feet away from the plate via an error. Booyens then singled giving the 'Cats a 9-8 lead. Reynolds then singled as the Bobcats threatened with runners on first and second. Peru State scored one run on three hits an error and left two on.
 
Graceland reached on a dropped third strike to start the bottom of the eighth. The base runner advanced to second from a sac bunt. A strike out and a fly out ended the game as the Bobcats took the series and are now in sole possession of first place in the Heart North division.
 
Cabrera gave up three runs on two hits and all three runs were earned. Rodriguez pitched 3.2 innings striking out five batters giving up two runs on three hits-the two runs were earned. Jose Diana (Santa Isabel, P.R.) pitched two innings striking out four batters giving up three runs on three hits and all three were earned. Adams finished off the pitching for the 'Cats as he pitched 2.1 innings striking out four batters; he gave up no runs and only surrendered a hit.
 
Pavletich and Reynolds tied for hits as they both had three in game four. Andrades led the way in RBIs with three.
 
Peru State is at home this upcoming weekend Friday, April 15, and Saturday April 16, for a four-game series against William Penn. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. each day.