Cold Bats in Cold Temps: Graceland Falls to Mission in Chilly Showdown
The Graceland University baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against Mission University on Friday at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex, falling 11-2 in game one and 10-2 in game two. The Yellowjackets now hold a 4-6 overall record, while Mission improved to 5-2 on the season.
Game One: Mission 11, Graceland 2
After two scoreless innings, Mission broke through in the bottom of the third, plating five runs. A leadoff double set the table before a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch forced in the first run. A groundout plated another, and a two-out RBI single extended the Mission lead to 5-0.
Graceland responded in the top of the fourth. Zach Tanabe led off with a single, advancing to third on a defensive miscue. Elio Narvaez reached on an error before Ramsel Jerez drove in a run with a groundout. Ian Martinez followed with an RBI groundout, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Mission capitalized on Graceland's defensive miscues in the fifth, plating six runs. Carter Vienhage singled in a run before Steven Golden delivered a three-run double. A wild pitch and an error allowed two additional runs to score, pushing the lead to 11-2.
Graceland managed just five hits in the game, with Javin Stevenson, Trevor Yorges, Zach Tanabe, Elio Narvaez, and Ramsel Jerez each recording one. Gabriel Perez (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits over 2.1 innings. Jacob Vestal (1-0) earned the win for Mission, striking out six over six innings of two-run ball.
Game Two: Mission 10, Graceland 2
Graceland struck first in the opening frame as Elio Narvaez grounded out to short, plating Javin Stevenson for a 1-0 lead. However, Mission responded immediately in the bottom half with a three-run double from Brayden Montgomer, seizing a 3-1 advantage.
The Yellowjackets clawed back in the second, cutting the lead to one on an RBI single from Javin Stevenson. Mission answered with a run in the third on a two-out single by Tyler Wheeler, extending the lead to 4-2.
The Mustangs put the game out of reach in the fifth, capitalizing on consecutive extra-base hits. Tanner Mulhollan doubled home a run before Tyler Wheeler and David Vaughn followed with RBI singles, pushing the lead to 7-2. Mission added three more in the sixth on a bases-clearing single from Tyler Wheeler.
Graceland was limited to six hits in the contest, with Javin Stevenson leading the way, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Jacob Abernathey (0-1) took the loss, surrendering four runs on five hits over four innings. Mission's James Buxton (1-0) struck out seven over five innings, allowing two runs on five hits.
Coach's Take: "Overall, we competed on the field," head coach Brad Payne said. "Mission did a good job capitalizing on a couple of miscues. We still need to clean up some small details, but we have time to get them corrected before we start conference play on March 1."
Up Next: Graceland concludes its three-game set against Mission on Saturday at noon at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex in Springfield, MO.
For more information on Graceland baseball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.