Pride dominate elimination game over Peru State

OZARK, Mo. - Playing in the first win or go home game of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament, the Clarke University baseball earned a resounding 13-1 win over Peru State College on Friday morning at the Ozark Sports Complex.

The Pride produced a pair of one-run innings in the first and second on an Ethan Hefel RBI single and a Brady Lord RBI double to lead 2-0 behind starting pitcher David Jacobo, who produced a strong five-inning start to keep CU's postseason hopes alive.

Jacobo finished his outing allowing just one hit and walking one batter with four strikeouts in just 60 pitches, likely keeping the senior from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic available for an appearance later in the tournament.

Back to the offense, Clarke was able to add three more runs to their lead in the top of the fourth starting on an Eric Hebert squeeze bunt with runners on first and third, then a bases loaded double play scored a run before Darin Eales drove in Hebert with a two-out single.

The Pride were able to get their advantage to a run rule margin behind an eight-run top of the fifth that boosted their 5-0 lead to 13-0 with RBIs from Jaiden Russin, Brady Lord, Eales, Hefel, and Bryn Vantiger with Eales driving in two with a single to finish with a three RBI game and Russin going 3-for-4 with three runs scored after getting the start at DH.

Jacobo gave way to Caleb Calcut as he and Derek Jenk each pitched an inning of a relief to only give up a run in the sixth and Jenk striking out a pair of Bobcat hitters in the seventh to close out the victory.

With the win, Clarke both eliminates Peru State and moves on in the loser's bracket side of the Heart Tournament with their next game scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT against the loser of the 8:30 p.m. CT game tonight between William Woods University and Central Methodist University.