Graceland Splits Doubleheader Against Columbia to Open Season

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Graceland University baseball team opened its 2025 season with a doubleheader split against Columbia College on Saturday at Battle High School. After dropping game one 13-1, the Yellowjackets responded in game two with a 3-1 victory, riding a strong pitching performance from Elio Narvaez to secure their first win of the season.

Graceland moves to 1-1 overall (0-0 Heart of America Athletic Conference), while Columbia also sits at 1-1 (0-0 American Midwest Conference).

Game One: Columbia 13, Graceland 1

Columbia's offense surged early, scoring in five of the six innings played, while Graceland struggled to generate offense against Columbia starter O. Clark, who allowed just one run on six hits across 4.2 innings.

Key Performers:

• J. Woodruff: 1-for-4
• T. Yorges: 2-for-3
• M. Klonsinsk: 2-for-2
• R. Severino (L, 0-1): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K

Columbia plated two runs in the first on a passed ball and an RBI single from J. Matousek. The Cougars broke the game open with a three-run fourth inning, capped by B. O'Neal's RBI single and T. Renn's RBI knock to center field.

Graceland's lone run came in the second when R. Jerez scored on a catcher's error after J. Stevenson reached on a strikeout. Columbia added four more runs in the sixth, including a two-run inside-the-park home run by A. Hagan to put the game out of reach.

Game Two: Graceland 3, Columbia 1

Graceland rebounded in game two, led by a dominant five-inning shutout performance from E. Narvaez. The right-hander held Columbia to three hits while striking out eight, giving the Yellowjackets the opportunity to grab their first win of the season.

Key Performers:

• T. Yorges: 1-for-2, HR, RBI
• I. Martinez: 1-for-1, RBI
• G. Perez: 0-for-1, RBI, 3 BB
• E. Narvaez (W, 1-0): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
• D. Batista (S, 1): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K

Graceland struck early with T. Yorges launching a solo home run to center in the first inning. The Yellowjackets added another run in the fifth after G. Perez worked a bases-loaded walk, scoring K. Dougan. In the sixth, I. Martinez's sacrifice fly plated B. Olmeda to extend the lead to 3-0.

Columbia managed a late push in the seventh, as T. Renn doubled home J. James, but D. Batista closed the door, securing the 3-1 victory.

Coach Brad Payne on the Series:
"Our guys played a great game in game one. Elio Narvaez pitched a solid five innings to start the year, and the guys did a good job making plays to prevent Columbia from scoring in the late innings. Game two, I thought we battled through some rough innings. I'm happy we get the chance to reflect and correct the miscues as a whole in games three and four tomorrow."

Up Next:

Graceland will close the four-game series against Columbia College on Sunday, February 2, with a doubleheader at noon and 3 p.m. in Columbia, Mo.

For more information on Graceland baseball and Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.