(Peru, Neb.)—Peru State softball opened the season at the Dordt tournament over the weekend of Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11. Unfortunately, the Bobcats were not able to pick up a win as they start the season 0-4.
 
Below is a breakdown of how each game of the tournament went…
 
Game 1 @ Dordt L 8-0 (F/6)
 
Peru State was not able to get much going offensively in the first inning of the game outside of a single from Jami Mans (Fairbury). Dordt broke the game wide open in the home half of the first inning.
 
Two doubles led two scores early, then a runner stole home to make the score 3-0. Later in the inning a three-run blast made the score 6-0. The Defenders scored six runs on four hits an error and left one on base.
 
The Bobcats were able to get one on base via a walk from Autumn Dixon (Stillwell, Kan.) but she would be left stranded. Dordt had runners on the corners after two singles in the bottom of the second but left both runners stranded.
 
Peru State left two on base in the top of third while Dordt left one on in the bottom of the third. Neither offense could get anything going for the next one and half innings. The Defenders in the bottom of the fifth scored their seventh run of the game on an RBI single.
 
The Bobcats struggled on offense in the first game of the season as they could not string hits together. An RBI single in the bottom of the sixth ended the game as the Defenders won 8-0.
 
Cheyenne Leach (Wymore) was credited with the loss as she pitched in five innings striking out one batter and giving up seven earned runs on eight hits. Bailey Bitz (Ravenna) pitched in one inning giving up one earned run on one hit.
 
Mans, Ellie Ohlde (Fairbury), Carlye Rotschild (Eros, La.) and Hailey Wessel (Malcolm) each had a hit in the game.
 
Game 2 @ Dordt L 7-3
 
The Bobcats went three up three down in the top of the first of the second game against the Defenders. Two RBI singles led to a 2-0 lead for Dordt in the first inning. The Defenders scored two runs on three hits and left two on base.
 
Peru State went 1-2-3 in the second inning as well. Dordt left a couple of runners on base in the second after a few walks and the Defenders did threaten after stealing a couple of bags but the Bobcats held serve.
 
Kylee Weiss (El Dorado, Kan.) was able to get the first hit of the second game for the Bobcats but Peru State still could not muster any offense. The Defenders in the bottom of the third inning were able to score their third run of the game on an RBI triple.
 
Dordt led 3-0 after three innings. Mans led off the top of the fourth with a double and was able to advance to third on an error. Kaelyn Hamblen (Papillion) brought in Mans on a sac fly to center field as the Bobcats now trailed 3-1.
 
Peru State scored one run on one hit an error and left no one on base in the top of the fourth.
 
Dordt was able to score twice more in the bottom of the fourth inning, each time stealing home to get fourth and fifth runs to the plate. Lanie Dreyer (Anniston, Ala.) and Andrea Page (Palisade) hit back-to-back singles to lead off a promising fifth inning. The Bobcats had the bases juiced in top of the fifth after an Ohlde walk.
 
A flyout ended the promising inning. Dordt scored two more times in the bottom of the fifth inning from an RBI double and an RBI single as the Defenders were leading the Bobcats 7-1 after five innings.
 
In the sixth inning Macie Green (Big Spring, Tex.) hit a two out single and stole second after pinch hitting for Morgan Wilke (Bakersfield, Calif.). Dreyer then hit an RBI double bringing Green around to home as the Bobcats now trailed 7-2.
 
Peru State scored one run on two hits and left one on base in the sixth. Dordt managed a walk and a single in the bottom of the sixth but were unable to bring anymore runs across the plate.
 
Weiss led off the final inning with a single and Maddie Howard (Council Bluffs, Iowa) came into pinch run. Dixon was able to draw a walk as a pinch hitter. Mans then singled as the bases were loaded for the Bobcats. Hamblen then had a sac fly out to center as Howard scored the third run of the game for Peru State.
 
The Bobcats fell to Dordt 7-3 in the second game.
 
Dreyer was the lone pitcher and was credited with the loss as she pitched six innings striking out seven batters giving up seven runs on eight hits five were earned.
 
Dreyer, Mans and Weiss each had two hits. Hamblen led the way in RBIs with two.
 
Game 3 v Dakota Wesleyan L 6-2
 
In the third game of the Dordt Tournament Peru State faced off against Dakota Wesleyan. The Tigers and Bobcats both threatened in the first inning with runners on third but neither team could get their runner in to score.
 
Dakota Wesleyan broke open the scoring in the second inning with a two-run blast to make the score 2-0 early. A single and a double then had the Tigers threatening once again with runners in scoring position but the Bobcats were able to get out of the inning.
 
There was not much offense for either team in the next few innings. The Tigers in the top of the fifth hit a home run to make the score 3-0. In the home half of the fifth inning Dixon singled and then Mans doubled as the Bobcats had runners in scoring position.
 
A two RBI single from Hamblen brought the score to within one as the Bobcats now trailed 3-2. Peru State scored two runs on three hits and left one on base in the fifth.
 
The Tigers in the top of the sixth threatened with runners in scoring position but the Bobcats held as the score was still 3-2. Peru State then had a three up three down inning in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Dakota Wesleyan had a big final inning scoring three runs on two hits and an error. First run was on an RBI groundout to make the score 4-2. Then a two-run home run made the score 6-2 with Peru State having one final inning to tie or win the game.
 
Peru State fell to Dakota Wesleyan 6-2.
 
Wessel was credited with the loss as she pitched in four innings striking out one batter giving up two earned runs on five hits.
 
Leach pitched in three innings striking out two batters giving up four earned runs on four hits.
 
Hamblen led the way with three hits and two RBIs.
 
Game 4 vs. Northwestern College L 4-3
 
Peru State was able to get on the board first in its final game of action over the weekend. Dreyer and Dixon were able to get on the base paths after a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Rothschild then hit an RBI single as the Bobcats were up 1-0.
 
In the bottom of the second inning the Raiders loaded the bases after two walks and a single. Northwestern then tied the game on a fielder's choice. A two RBI double later in the inning would give the Raiders a two run 3-1 lead.
 
The bats cooled off for both teams in the third inning. The Raiders ended up getting a fourth run across on an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning. Northwestern led Peru State 4-1 after four innings.
 
Ohlde led off the top of the fifth with a single. Hamblen a bit later in the inning singled. A two RBI single from Dixon had the Bobcats within one as they now trailed 4-3 in the fifth.
 
The Bobcat defense came up big in the bottom of the fifth after the bases were loaded with two down a play at the plate kept the game within one run. The Raiders scored no runs on two hits an error and left three on base.
 
Neither team got much going offensively in the sixth inning. Mans in the final inning of play led off with a single but two strikeouts and a pop up ended the game.
 
Dreyer was credited with the loss as she was the lone pitcher pitching six innings striking out two batters giving up four runs on four hits all were earned.
 
Ohlde led the way in hits with two and Dixon led the way in RBIs with two.
 
Peru State heads back to Dordt this weekend for another four game tournament on Friday February, February 17, and Saturday, February 18. First pitch is set for Noon against York University.