WINFIELD, Kan. — Ayden Markovich drove in four runs on the day and Southwestern College shook off an early seven-run hole before finishing off a doubleheader sweep of Peru State on Saturday, winning 10-7 in the opener and 5-0 in the nightcap at the Broadway Complex.
In the first game, the Moundbuilders trailed 6-0 before erupting for six runs in the fourth inning and four more in the sixth. Cole Van Stone hit a solo homer to start the fourth-inning rally, and Markovich followed with a two-run single later in the frame. Raisean Dorsey added an RBI double, and Brice Nittler's two-run single tied the game at 6-all.
Peru State regained the lead in the top of the sixth when Jomar Perez doubled home Doel Pina, but Southwestern answered again in the bottom half. Avila-Dorsey led off with a solo homer to tie it, Gabe Rodriguez singled and later scored on Van Stone's RBI single, and Sam Benz capped the inning with a two-run single that put Southwestern in front for good.
Benz went 4 for 5 with two RBIs in the opener, while Avila-Dorsey finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs and the go-ahead home run. Markovich had two hits and drove in two. Jaxon Burns worked the seventh for the save.
Jonathan Gutierrez went 2 for 4 with two RBIs for Peru State, and Josh Schaller had two hits.
Southwestern carried the momentum into the second game behind Markovich, Dorsey, and a shutout from Jaden Hensley and Brock Cross.
The Moundbuilders scored four times in the third inning, with Benz doubling and Markovich lining a two-run single to center to open the scoring. Dorsey followed with a two-run homer to make it 4-0.
Peru State threatened in the sixth when Cross took over and the Bobcats loaded the bases on a walk and two hit batters, but Cross got out of the inning without allowing a run. Van Stone added insurance in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run.
Markovich finished the nightcap with two RBIs, and Avila-Dorsey drove in two more. Cross closed the final two innings, and Peru State was held to five hits despite three singles from Schaller.
Southwestern improved to 2-4, while Peru State slipped to 3-3.
The Moundbuilders will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon, welcoming Hesston College to the Broadway Sports Complex. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
