(Peru, Neb.)—The Peru State softball team split its doubleheader against MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kan., on Saturday, March 25. Peru State lost the first game 8-0 in five innings and won the second game 4-2.
 
The Bobcats are now 3-16 overall and 1-3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play while the Pioneers are now 11-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
 
Below is a breakdown of how each game of the doubleheader went…
 
Game 1 L 8-0 (F/5) @ MidAmerica Nazarene
 
Peru State went three up three down in the top of the first inning. MidAmerica Nazarene was able to reach via an error but was not able to bring her around to score.
 
Jami Mans (Fairbury) hit a two-out double but was left stranded in the second. The Pioneers scored its first run of the game via an RBI single in the home half of the second inning.
 
Kylee Weiss (El Dorado, Kan.) hit a leadoff single in the third and Kaelyn Hamblen (Papillion) courtesy ran but then was picked off. Peru State still could not get the offense going in the third.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene scored two more runs in the bottom of the third from an error by the pitcher on a bunt and a wild pitch to make the score 3-0. The Pioneers scored two runs on three hits an error and left one on base.
 
Morgan Wilke (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a double with one out in the fourth and was able to get 60-feet away from the plate but the Bobcats were unable to bring her home in the fourth. The Pioneers did most of their damage in the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
They started out with back-to-back singles then a one-out single scored its fifth run of the game. The Pioneers scored three more runs off RBI singles to make the score 7-0. MNU scored runs on five hits and left one on base.
 
Peru State went down in order in the fifth. MNU hit a leadoff double then a bunted single to third base an error by first base ended the game with an 8-0 win for the Pioneers.
 
Lanie Dreyer (Anniston, Ala.) took the loss pitching 3.2 innings striking out two batters giving up seven runs on ten hits four runs were earned. Maddi Post (Lincoln) pitched .1 innings giving up one run on two hits the run was unearned.
 
Mans, Weiss and Wilke each came away with a hit.
 
Game 2 W 4-2 @ MidAmerica Nazarene
 
MidAmerica Nazarene stayed hot early in game two as they scored in the bottom of the first via an error by the catcher. Carlye Rothschild (Eros, La.) hit a leadoff single in the top of the second, Weiss walked and Mans singled as the Bobcats loaded the bases.
 
Ohlde drew a two-out walk as the Bobcats tied the game at one all. Peru State scored one run on two hits and left three on base.
 
Peru State kept the bats hot in the top of the third inning. Wilke hit a leadoff double in the top of the third inning. Then Rothschild blasted a home run over the left field fence as the Bobcats took a 3-1 lead.
 
The Bobcats scored two runs on two hits in the top of the third. The Pioneers went three up three down in the third. Peru State went 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth.
 
In the home half of the fourth inning the Pioneers would get back within one as they hit a home run into right field. Peru State was clinging to a 3-2 lead.
 
The Bobcats threatened in the top of the fifth with two runners in scoring position but neither were brought home. The Pioneers had runners on first and second after two singles in the home half of the fifth.
 
Then a 6-4-3 double play helped the Bobcats get out of a jam and another groundout ended the inning. Peru State got a two out rally going with a single from Maddie Howard (Council Bluffs, Iowa), a double from Ellie Ohlde (Fairbury) and an Autumn Dixon (Stillwell, Kan.) RBI single. Peru State led 4-2 at the top of the sixth.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene threatened in the sixth and seventh innings with runners in scoring position each time but the Bobcats were able to come away with the 4-2 victory.
 
Cheyenne Leach (Wymore) earned the win pitching in 6.1 innings striking out three batters giving up two runs on 11 hits only one run was earned. Post earned the save pitching .2 innings.
 
Dixon and Rothschild led the way in hits with two each. Rothschild led the way in RBIs with two.
 
Peru State returns home this Wednesday, March 29, for a doubleheader with Hastings College. First pitch is at 1:00 p.m.