Bellevue blanks Peru State, 12-0

BELLEVUE, Neb. –  Junior Kendra Gansz’ power at the plate combined with junior Ally Bowers three-hit shutout helped lead top-seeded Bellevue University to a 12-0 win over No. 4-seeded Peru State in first round action of the 2009 Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Thursday at Sigler Field.

Gansz went 3-for-4 at the plate with five RBIs, including two doubles and a grand slam to lead the Bellevue offense.  Bowers improved to 12-3 on the season after recording her seventh shutout. She fanned 10 Bobcat batters and allowed only two walks and three hits.

The Bruins scored three runs in the top of the first inning thanks to consecutive doubles by Gansz and Jordann Ellis and a two-run homer by Kate Lefler.

Bellevue added to the lead after Gansz’ second double of the game drove in Kady Revis, who also reached on a double, to make the score 4-0.

Jenny Gawart’s went deep over the center field fence in the top of the fourth to give the Bruins a five-run advantage.

In the top of the sixth, a fielding error by Peru State allowed the Bruins to score their sixth run. Three-consecutive walks produced two additional Bruin runs. Gansz grand slam over the left field wall completed the scoring for BU.

Bellevue improved to 27-11 on the season with the win. The Bruins will play at 6:30 p.m. tonight against the winner of the tournament’s second game which pits second-seeded Park against third-seeded College of St. Mary.  Peru State fell to 17-23 overall and will face the loser of the Park-College of St. Mary game.