Goodwell, Okla.— Panhandle Baseball (8-7) took the day one sweep over Peru State (Neb.) (2-8) taking the win in game one (6-4) and a landslide victory in game two (14-6).
To start off game one, the Aggies were quick to get runs on the board in the second inning.
Luis Rodriguez earned a base on balls and was quickly advanced to second by
Chris Galvan who took first on a hit by pitch. Rodriguez stole third and was able to cross the plate on a passed ball, followed by a sac fly from
Jaylon Burnett to score Galvan. Jake Dean stepped into the box and tripled to right center.
Juan Sanchez also took a hit from the Bobcat's pitcher for a walk to first, and as he stole second, a throwing error by the catcher allowed Dean to score, plating three runs for the Aggies in the bottom of the inning.
Panhandle kept the momentum going in the third, as
Jared Mayeda started off the inning with a double down the left field line and Rodriguez slapped a single to left to bring Mayeda home. A sac fly from
Gerson Padilla allowed Rodriguez to cross the plate, adding another 2 runs and taking the score 5-0. Peru State would answer back in the top of the fourth, plating three runs and tacking on another in the top of the fifth. However, the Aggies were resilient as
Jack Aydelotte stepped in to pinch hit and took his opportunity to double to center field.
JJ Vaught hit a hard single up the middle and to score Aydelotte and the Aggies would hold the Bobcats to the end of the game, taking the final tally to 6-4.
Joseph Goetze W(2-1) would take the win on the mound, allowing just four hits through his five innings pitched and doling out 4 strikeouts and Tyler Brant (S-1) would earn a save as he closed out the game.
Yesiel Valdez (W3-0) would take the bump for game two and pitched a gem, striking out nine Bobcats, allowing just four hits and holding Peru State to a shutout through five.
Panhandle would put runs up on the board early again, plating three in the bottom of the first off RBI's from Galvan and Aydelotte. The Aggies doubled the score in the following inning, starting off with a double from Vaught who was brought in to score on a roped single from Padilla down the left field line. Rodriguez powered a home run over the right field fence to add another two runs, taking the score 6-0 heading into the third. The bats were hot for the Aggies as another four runs came across the plate in the bottom of the third. Aydelotte earned his way to first on a walk and was advanced to second by a single from Dean. Burnett hit a hard single to left to score Aydelotte and advance Dean to second.
Bradley Ruiz shot a ball to deep right center and reached on an error by the right fielder to further advance him another base and score Dean. Vaught then placed a perfect laid bunt down the third base line to bring in Burnett, bringing the Aggies up 10-0 over Peru State heading into the fourth. Rodriguez continued to have a game as he hit his second home run to right field to add another three runs in the fifth.
Rancys Nunez relieved Valdez on the mound in the sixth, and the Bobcats were able to get their first run on the board off a wild pitch, but the Aggies added one more run in the bottom of the frame from an RBI hit by Vaught.
Jeremy Norris would come in to close but had a bit of a rough go, allowing five runs off three hits from Peru State. However, the Aggie lead would be too much for the Bobcats to come back from, and Norris would strike out the last batter of the evening to end the game 14-6.
Vaught, who is currently batting .333 and is responsible for 12 RBIs on the season, went 3-5 in Game 2. Mayeda also sits at a .333 average with a .763 on base percentage, and went 2-3. Rodriguez, who saw 2-4, both home runs, now leads the Aggies with a .362 batting average and 18 RBIs on the season.
The Aggies will continue the series against Peru State College -weather permitting- on Sunday (Feb. 24/12 p.m.)
