Graceland Baseball Sweeps Dakota Wesleyan in Doubleheader
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — The Graceland University baseball team swept its non-conference doubleheader against Dakota Wesleyan on Monday, taking the first game in a walk-off, 4-3, before securing a dominant 7-0 shutout in game two. The victories push the Yellowjackets to a 6-7 overall record (0-0 Heart of America Athletic Conference), while Dakota Wesleyan falls to 0-8 (0-0 GPAC).
Game One: Graceland 4, Dakota Wesleyan 3
Graceland walked off in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth, with JD Woodruff delivering the game-winning RBI single to cap off a late comeback. Dakota Wesleyan took an early 1-0 lead in the first, capitalizing on a single and a pair of productive outs to push a run across. The Tigers extended their lead in the third when Darren Payne doubled to right, scoring Carter Meyers to make it 2-0.
The Yellowjackets responded in the fourth when Zach Tanabe launched a solo home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Dakota Wesleyan answered in the fifth, plating an unearned run on another Payne double to extend its lead to 3-1.
Graceland found momentum in the seventh. Ian Martinez led off with a walk, and Carson Chiprez reached via a single. JD Woodruff delivered an RBI single, scoring Martinez to bring the Yellowjackets within one. A passed ball allowed Josh Gilbert to score the tying run, knotting the game at 3-3.
With the game tied in the ninth, Chiprez drew a walk, stole second and third, and set the stage for Woodruff, who lined the walk-off single to drive in the winning run.
Gabriel Perez pitched 6.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits with three walks and one strikeout. Dylan Batista (1-0) earned the win in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings while allowing no hits and striking out one. Woodruff led Graceland's offense, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs, while Tanabe and Chiprez added multi-hit performances.
"Gaby Perez pitched a solid 6 2/3 innings," head coach Brad Payne said. "Our bats started to make adjustments later in the game and continued to put pressure late. Dylan Batista did a great job in relief and gave us good momentum with the walk-off win by JD Woodruff."
Game Two: Graceland 7, Dakota Wesleyan 0
The Yellowjackets carried the energy from their game-one walk-off into the nightcap, securing a 7-0 shutout victory behind six strong innings from Elio Narvaez and a balanced offensive attack.
Graceland took control in the third, plating four runs. Woodruff homered to left for a two-run shot, followed by Gabe Perez's RBI groundout and Jake Bauer's run-scoring grounder, giving the Yellowjackets a 5-0 lead. Perez continued his strong day at the plate with an RBI double in the fifth, and Josh Gilbert grounded into a double play that allowed Perez to score, extending the lead to 7-0.
Narvaez (1-0) was stellar on the mound, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out eight. Izaac Rabelo made his season debut and worked a perfect final frame, striking out one to secure the shutout.
Graceland's offense collected 10 hits, led by Tanabe (3-for-4, 2 runs), Perez (2-for-4, 2 RBIs), and Woodruff (1-for-4, 2 RBIs).
"The guys came out energized for game two," Payne said. "They continued to make adjustments, which led to a four-run third inning. Elio Narvaez pitched a great six innings, and Izaac Rabelo got his first action of the 2025 season to close out the game. It was a great two wins heading into conference play against Park this upcoming weekend."
Up Next: Conference Play Begins Against Park University
Graceland opens Heart of America Athletic Conference play this Saturday and Sunday in Parkville, Mo., with a four-game series against Park University. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., with Sunday's games set for the same times at Homefield Complex in Kansas City, Kan.
For more information on Graceland baseball and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.