Graceland Baseball Drops Doubleheader at Park to Conclude Road Series

PARKVILLE, Mo. – The Graceland University Yellowjackets were unable to close their four-game road series with a win, falling twice to Park University on Sunday. The Pirates controlled the opener, securing a 20-2 victory, before edging out Graceland in a 4-1 pitchers' duel in Game 2. With the losses, the Yellowjackets drop to 8-9 overall and 2-2 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) play, while Park improves to 6-5 overall and 2-2 in the Heart.

Game 1: Park 20, Graceland 2

Park's offense overwhelmed Graceland early, scoring in each of the first four innings en route to a dominant victory. The Pirates racked up 17 hits and 20 runs, capitalizing on defensive miscues and free passes.

Graceland took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when G. Perez reached on an error, advanced on a stolen base, and eventually scored on a throwing miscue by the catcher. However, Park responded immediately, plating four runs in the bottom half and never looking back.

Park added four runs in the second, five in the third, and seven in the fourth, blowing the game open. R. Hernandez led the Pirates with a 3-for-4, six-RBI performance, while G. Torres launched a three-run home run.

Graceland managed two runs on 11 hits, with Z. Tanabe driving in the team's lone RBI in the fifth. E. Narvaez (2-3) took the loss, allowing eight runs (six earned) on nine hits over two innings. L. Frost was effective in relief, holding Park scoreless over 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.

Stat Leaders (Game 1):

• Hitting: Z. Tanabe – 1-for-4, RBI
• Pitching: L. Frost – 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K
• Stolen Bases: R. Jerez – 1

Game 2: Park 4, Graceland 1

The second game was a much more competitive contest, but Graceland was unable to solve Park's J. Lufft, who tossed a complete-game victory, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out four.

Park took an early lead in the first on an RBI single from Lufft and added a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Y. Santana. The Pirates extended the lead to 4-1 in the fifth when Z. Morrow lifted a sacrifice fly to plate another insurance run.

Graceland's lone run came in the fourth when E. Narvaez delivered an RBI single to score B. Olmeda, but the Yellowjackets were unable to generate any further offense, stranding multiple runners throughout the game. G. Perez (1-3) was tagged with the loss, going five innings while allowing four runs on five hits and five walks. M. Krogsgaar pitched a clean sixth in relief.

Stat Leaders (Game 2):

• Hitting: Z. Tanabe – 2-for-3
• Pitching: M. Krogsgaar – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER
• RBI: E. Narvaez – 1

Coach's Comments

Head coach Brad Payne did not shy away from his frustration with his team's execution.

"We simply were not sharp today in any phase of the game. We didn't execute defensively, we weren't competitive enough on the mound, and we struggled to put together quality at-bats. Park took advantage, and the results showed. We have to regroup and refocus quickly because we have a big four-game home series coming up against Clarke. This group has to take accountability and come ready to compete this weekend."

Up Next

Graceland will open its home portion of the schedule this Saturday and Sunday in Lamoni against Clarke University. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. both days.

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