Yellowjackets Drop Doubleheader to Grand View in Heart Conference Action

LAMONI, Iowa – The Graceland University baseball team came up short in both games of a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at Chase Stadium, falling to Grand View University by scores of 6-2 and 17-1.

With the pair of losses, the Yellowjackets move to 14-16 overall and 7-7 in conference play, while the Vikings improve to 14-3 overall and 9-1 in the Heart.

Game 1: Grand View 6, Graceland 2

Graceland was held hitless through the first four innings before sophomore Carson Chiprez delivered a two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the fifth, scoring senior Ramsel Jerez, who had reached via walk. That blast tied the game at 2-2.

However, Grand View responded immediately in the sixth with a two-run single by graduate outfielder Hank Himrich, and tacked on two more in the seventh via a two-run double from senior Erik Broekemeier to take full control.

Junior right-hander Jacob Abernathey was solid in the start for Graceland, tossing six innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while striking out five without a walk. Junior Rafael Severino and redshirt sophomore Thiago Telles handled relief duties in the seventh.

The Yellowjackets managed just three hits in the opener. In addition to Chiprez's home run, Jerez doubled and senior Trevor Yorges added a hit. Despite drawing four walks, Graceland left five runners on base.

Game 2: Grand View 17, Graceland 1

Grand View's offense erupted in the second game of the doubleheader, scoring in every inning except the second and amassing 19 hits and 17 runs.

Graceland's lone run came in the sixth inning off the bat of freshman Ambrus Sharky, who delivered a solo home run to left field — the first of his collegiate career.

Senior left-hander Elio Narvaez took the loss for the Yellowjackets, allowing six earned runs across three innings. Graceland used four additional arms in relief: junior Simon Victoriano, sophomore Luke Frost, sophomore Brian Knutsen, and sophomore Kristian Cardejon, who combined to allow 11 more runs (10 earned).

At the plate, junior Gabriel Perez had a pair of singles, while senior JD Woodruff doubled in the first. Sharky's home run in the sixth gave Graceland its only run of the contest.

Defensively, the Yellowjackets committed three errors, which led to several unearned runs. Meanwhile, Grand View received home runs from Brock Johnson, Hank Himrich, and Thomas Maathuis, and finished the game with eight extra-base hits.

"We knew coming in that Grand View is one of the best hitting teams in the country," said head coach Brad Payne. "If we're going to compete with a lineup like that, we have to locate pitches and execute much better. Tomorrow is a new day, and we have to be sharper in every phase."

Up Next

Graceland will look to bounce back and split the four-game series when they return to Chase Stadium on Sunday, March 23, to host Grand View in another doubleheader. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 1 p.m. in Lamoni, Iowa.

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