Graceland’s Fast Start Secures Win Before Morningside’s Late Surge Evens Series

ELKHORN, Neb. – The Graceland University Yellowjackets split a non-conference doubleheader against Morningside University on Tuesday at Legion Field, winning game one 5-3 before falling 10-4 in game two. The results move Graceland to 14-13 on the season, while Morningside stands at 15-3-1.

Game 1: Graceland 5, Morningside 3

Graceland secured a 5-3 win in the opener behind early offensive production and strong pitching. The Yellowjackets wasted no time, striking for three runs in the first inning when Jake Bauer singled and advanced on an error, allowing Gabriel Perez, Elio Narvaez, and Ramsel Jerez to score.

Morningside responded in the bottom of the first with a three-run double by Michael Snyder, but Graceland regained control in the second. Perez delivered a two-run single to left center, bringing home JD Woodruff and Matt Klonsinski to push the lead to 5-3.

That was all the run support Mason Krogsgaard (1-0) needed, as he held Morningside in check over six innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out two. Dylan Batista entered in the seventh and closed the door for his first save of the season.

Graceland's offense was paced by Perez (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) and Woodruff (2-for-4), while Bauer contributed two RBIs.

Game 2: Morningside 10, Graceland 4

In game two, Morningside's offense erupted for seven runs in the second inning to put Graceland in an early hole. The Mustangs took advantage of six hits and a costly error to build a commanding lead, eventually securing a 10-4 win.

The Yellowjackets got on the board in the first inning when Perez singled to drive in Woodruff. Graceland added a run in the second on an RBI single from Klonsinski and plated two more in the fifth behind an RBI double from Bauer and an RBI double from Beno Olmeda, but the early deficit was too much to overcome.

Mikkel Krogsgaar (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in 1.2 innings. The bullpen combination of Luke Frost, Victor Leonardo, Simon Victoriano, and Rafael Severino limited the damage, but Morningside tacked on three more runs to seal the result.

"This was an important split for us at a neutral location," said Graceland head coach Brad Payne. "We didn't play our best baseball in the second game, but we responded well in game one and executed in key moments. Now, we need to take care of business in our conference series at home this weekend to keep building momentum."

Up Next

Graceland returns to Heart of America Athletic Conference play this weekend, hosting Grand View University for a four-game series at Chase Stadium in Lamoni, Iowa. The doubleheaders are scheduled for Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, with first pitches set for 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. both days.

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