Graceland Sweeps Doubleheader, Takes Series Against Benedictine
LAMONI, Iowa – Graceland University Baseball secured a crucial conference series win Sunday, sweeping a doubleheader against Benedictine College (Kan.) at Chase Stadium. The Yellowjackets dominated the opener with a 15-3 victory before holding off a late rally in Game 2 to earn a 6-5 win. The victories improve Graceland to 13-13 overall and 7-5 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) play, while Benedictine drops to 6-18 overall and 2-10 in the conference.
Game One:
Graceland 15, Benedictine 3 Behind a stellar start from Izaac Rabelo and an offensive explosion, Graceland overwhelmed Benedictine in Game 1. The Yellowjackets struck first in the opening frame when Ramsel Jerez lifted a sacrifice fly to score Kato Dougan. The offense erupted for four runs in the third, highlighted by an RBI single from Elio Narvaez, a two-run single by Beno Olmeda, and a sacrifice bunt by Javin Stevenson. Benedictine responded with two runs in the fifth, but Graceland put the game out of reach with a two-run double from Trevor Yorges before a massive eight-run sixth inning. The inning featured RBI hits from Carson Chiprez, Jerez, Olmeda, and JD Woodruff, as well as a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch drawn by Zach Tanabe.
Rabelo (W, 1-0) earned the victory, tossing 4.2 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out three. Thiago Telles closed the final 2.1 innings, surrendering one run on three hits with one strikeout. Graceland tallied 14 hits, with Woodruff and Yorges each recording three-hit games. Olmeda and Yorges drove in three runs apiece, while Jerez and Stevenson added two RBIs each. Coach Brad Payne lauded his team's response: "Izaac Rabelo had a great start, and Thiago Telles finished it strong out of the pen. Our hitters did a great job executing in all facets. Great bounce-back win."
Game Two:
Graceland 6, Benedictine 5 Graceland held off a late Benedictine surge to complete the sweep with a 6-5 victory in Game 2. The Yellowjackets jumped ahead 2-1 in the first inning on a two-run single by Beno Olmeda. Benedictine tied the game in the third before Olmeda delivered another RBI single in the bottom half to put Graceland back in front. Zach Tanabe provided critical insurance in the fourth with a two-run double, followed by an error that allowed Jake Bauer to score, extending the lead to 6-2.
Benedictine clawed back in the seventh with a two-run double from JK Sparks and an error that allowed another run to score, but Tanabe closed out the game to seal the win. Elio Narvaez (W, 1-0) delivered five strong innings, allowing only one earned run while striking out seven. Dylan Batista and Rafael Severino combined for 1.1 innings of relief, before Tanabe secured the final three outs. Graceland finished with 11 hits, led by multi-hit games from Olmeda, Jerez, and Woodruff. Olmeda drove in three runs, while Tanabe added two RBIs on his fourth-inning double.
Coach Brad Payne commended his team's execution: "Another solid start by Elio Narvaez. And again, our offense put pressure on their pitching staff. Great two wins to take the series 3-1. Now we look forward to playing Morningside in Elkhorn, Nebraska, on Tuesday and Grand View coming to Chase Stadium this weekend."
Up Next Graceland (13-13, 7-5 Heart) travels to Elkhorn, Nebraska, on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Morningside College, with Game 1 scheduled for 1 p.m. The Yellowjackets then return home for a pivotal Heart of America Athletic Conference series against Grand View University this weekend at Chase Stadium. For more information on Graceland baseball and all Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.