ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Peru State marked its first season in the Heart of America Athletic Conference by winning the 2012 HAAC Tournament with a 4-3 triumph over Central Methodist, Saturday afternoon at Phil Welch Stadium. | Box Score

Peru State (35-16) will move on to take part in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round, which consists of nine 5-team, double-elimination tournaments at pre-determined hosts sites. Those events will run May 10-14 with each site winner advancing to the NAIA World Series, scheduled for May 25-June 1 in Lewiston, Ida.

Tim Crawford picked up the win for the Bobcats, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings of work, walking four while striking out three. Danny Borst gave Peru State two scoreless innings of relief before Derek Voigt came in to earn his second save of the season.

Kyle Fredrickson and Jeff Eubank each went 2-for-4 with a run scored and combined to drive in all three 1st-inning runs as Peru State took a 3-0 lead. Eubank singled on a 0-1 pitch to center field to plate Jonathan Castillo, then Fredrickson roped a two-run home run to right field on the first pitch he saw off of CMU starter Bryan Dominick.

The teams each scored once in the 3rd inning and Central Methodist would tally single runs in both the 4th and 5th innings. The Eagles had runners in scoring position in each of the next three innings, but the Bobcats were able to work out of trouble on each occasion.

Voigt allowed a lead-off single to Mike Allen to start the 9th, but Allen was thrown out attempting to steal second base. Matt Gessner followed that up by reaching on a fielding error by Gustavo Arcia, but Voigt struck out the next two batters to hold off the Eagles.

Voigt was also 3-for-3 at the plate including a double after starting the game in right field. Allen led the way for Central Methodist (25-23-1), going 3-for-4 with a run scored while Dustin Ray and Kyle Poynter each added a pair of hits. Tyler Paule kept the Eagles in game, tossing 7.0 innings out of the bullpen and allowing a run on five hits while striking out three and walking two.