(Peru, Neb.)—On Saturday, May 7, the Peru State baseball team defeated Park 13-2 in an elimination game to stay alive in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. Peru State is now 22-32 on the year while Park finished the season with a 27-20 record.
 
In the first inning William Reynolds (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a one out double to start the Bobcats out with a runner in scoring position. Then Wesley Bradford (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a single as the 'Cats now had runners on the corners. Bradford then stole second.
 
A two RBI double by Jose Solis (Los Santos, Panama) opened the scoring for Peru State as they led Park 2-0 early. Then  Jesus Tavarez (Santo Domingo, D.R.) hit an RBI single as the 'Cats scored their third run of the game. A fly out and a ground out ended a hot first inning for the Bobcats. Peru State scored three runs on four hits and left one on base.
 
Park in the bottom of the first hit a leadoff single, then the next batter grounded into a double play. The Pirates were able to get another runner on from a hit by pitch, but a fly out ended the bottom of the first. Park had no runs on one hit and left one on base.
 
Garrett Pavletich (Bakersfield, Calif.) was hit by a pitch to leadoff the second inning, then Johannes Booyens (Johannesburg, South Africa) hit a sac bunt to move Pavletich into scoring position. Then Xavier Wright (Calumet City, Ill.) was hit by a pitch as the 'Cats were threatening with runners on first and second.
 
Bradford then hit an RBI single as the Bobcats scored the fourth run of the game. Two groundouts ended the inning. Peru State scored one run on one hit and left two on base in the second. Park went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the second inning, but then Angel Andrades (Humacao, P.R.) went down with an apparent injury and Gustavo Rivera (Bayamon, P.R.) came into catch.
 
Peru State and Park went down in order in the third inning. Pavletich drew a leadoff walk in the top of the fourth inning, then he advanced to second on a wild pitch. Booyens then drew a walk as the 'Cats threatened with runners on first and second.
 
Wright then hit an RBI double as the Bobcats now led Park 5-0. Reynolds then hit a two RBI single as the 'Cats were pouring it on now leading 7-0. A double play and a ground out ended the inning. Peru State scored three runs on two hits and left no one on base.
 
Park reached base on an error to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Then a single had the Pirates threatening with runners on first and second. A two out walk then loaded the bases for the Pirates. Park left the runners stranded after a strike out. The Pirates had no runs on one hit, an error and left three on base.
 
 Tavarez hit a leadoff single in the top of the fifth inning, then Rivera hit a single as the Bobcats had runners on first and second. Blake Denson (Broken Bow) came into pinch run for Rivera. Josue Francisco (San Cristobal, D.R.) hit a two RBI double as the 'Cats now led the Pirates 9-0. Francisco tried to stretch it to third but was thrown out.

Pavletich then hit a single and after that Booyens hit an RBI  triple as the 'Cats now led by double digits 10-0 over Park. A strike out and a ground out ended the half inning. Peru State scored three runs on five hits and left one on base.
 
Park went three up three down in the bottom of the fifth. Tavarez hit a double with two down in the sixth but was not able to get anything else in the top of the sixth. Peru State had no runs on one hit and left one on base.
 
Park hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth and then the next batter reached on an error and the Pirates had runners on the corners. Then with one down the Pirates drew a walk as they loaded the bases. Park scored their first run on a balk. Then a productive ground out scored the second run of the game as the Pirates now trailed the Bobcats 10-2. Park scored two runs on one hit, an error and left one on base.
 
Francisco was hit by a pitch to leadoff the top of the seventh inning. Then with one down Booyens hit a single as the 'Cats had runners on first and second. Wright then hit an RBI single as Peru State now led Park 11-2. Wright and Booyens moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
 
Reynolds then hit a two RBI single as the Bobcats now led the Pirates 13-2. A fly out and a ground out ended the top of the seventh inning. Peru State had three runs on three hits and left one on base.
 
Park with one down walked and reached on an error as they threatened with runners on first and second. Then a single had the bases juiced for the Pirates. A pop up and a fly out ended the inning. Park had no runs on one hit, an error and left three on base.
 
Peru State went three up three down in the top of eighth. Park hit a single with one down in eighth, but they were unable to bring the runner around to score. The Pirates had no runs on one hit and left one on base.
 
The Bobcats loaded the bases  in the top of the ninth with a double from Wright, a single from Reynolds and a drawn walk with Bradford with two down. A pop up ended the half inning. Peru State had no runs on two hits and left three on base.
 
Park went 1-2-3 in bottom of the ninth as Peru State kept their season alive in a 13-2 win.
 
Diego Oquendo (Merida, Venezuela) pitched seven innings striking out six batters giving up two runs on four hits-the two runs were earned. Oquendo earned the win. Juan Rodriguez (Bayamon, P.R.) pitched one inning striking out one batter and giving up no runs on one hit. Devin Adams (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) got the save as he pitched the final inning, giving up no runs on no hits.
 
Reynolds had a fantastic day at the plate as he had five hits and five RBIs and led the team in both hits and RBIs.
 
Peru State will face the loser of No. 1 seed MidAmerica Nazarene and No. 4 seed Mount Mercy on Sunday, May 8, at 10:00 a.m.