(Peru, Neb.)- Peru State dropped both ends of a home softball doubleheader against Clarke on Saturday in Peru, falling 10-1 in Game 1 and 6-3 in Game 2. The Bobcats showed early life in both contests, but Clarke used a big second inning in the opener and a five-inning swing in the nightcap to secure the sweep.
In the first game, Clarke took control quickly with Oakleigh Harman's two-run triple in the top of the first. Peru State answered in the bottom half when singled to center to bring home the Bobcats' lone run and cut the deficit to 2-1. Clarke then added three more runs in the second, including Kaylie Holtam's run-scoring double and Lauren Hefel's two-run single, to build a 5-1 lead.
Peru State continued to battle at the plate in Game 1 and finished with seven hits, led by Schultz's 3-for-3 performance with an RBI. Emma Slayback gave the Bobcats valuable work in relief, covering 5.1 innings and allowing one run while striking out two. Clarke broke the game open in the seventh, when Kynadee Harris drove in two runs with a single and Holtam followed with a two-run triple as part of a four-run frame. Clarke finished with 14 hits, while Peru State left nine runners on base.
Game 2 was tighter throughout, and Peru State briefly grabbed the lead after answering Clarke's fast start. Teal Transburg doubled home two runs in the top of the first for Clarke, but the Bobcats responded immediately. delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to help Peru State tie the score at 2-2, and the Bobcats moved in front 3-2 in the third when reached on an error that allowed to score.
Mans and Wiehe paced Peru State's offense in the second game. Mans went 2-for-4 with two doubles and scored twice, while Wiehe added two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Sage Isaacs worked 4.1 innings in the circle and struck out one.
