GU Baseball Bats Go Cold in Twin-Bill Loss to Peru State

PERU, Neb. — The Graceland University baseball team dropped both games of a Sunday doubleheader to Peru State College, falling 3-2 in Game 1 and 9-3 in Game 2 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. The two losses extended the Yellowjackets' losing streak to 13 games and moved them to 14-26 overall and 7-17 in HAAC play. Peru State improved to 15-21 overall and 9-11 in the conference.

In Game 1, Graceland opened the scoring in the top of the first with a solo home run by senior catcher JD Woodruff, his first of the season. The Jackets added a second run in the fourth on an RBI double by junior outfielder Jayden Gilbert, scoring senior Ramsel Jerez to give Graceland a 2-0 lead. Starting pitcher Izaac Rabelo was effective through five innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two. Peru State tied the game in the sixth on RBI singles by Geraldo Rivera and Jace Schaller. After two scoreless innings from junior Rafael Severino, senior Dylan Batista (2-3) entered in the eighth. The Bobcats loaded the bases, and Tate Fancher drew a walk-off bases-loaded walk to score Xavier Solla for the game-winning run. Batista allowed one earned run on three walks and a hit-by-pitch in two-thirds of an inning. Graceland was limited to five hits, including two from Woodruff, who also threw out a baserunner. Peru State's Bryce Denson went eight strong innings, striking out two and walking three in the complete-game victory.

In Game 2, Graceland again struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second when Woodruff reached on a fielder's choice that scored Gilbert. The Bobcats responded with eight unanswered runs across the third, fourth, and sixth innings, including a solo home run by Jose Perez and a three-hit day from Jace Lynch, who drove in two runs. Graceland cut the lead to 6-3 in the sixth after an RBI double from senior Trevor Yorges and a sacrifice fly by junior infielder Matt Klonsinski. But Peru State answered with a three-run sixth inning, capitalizing on a triple, two singles, and a passed ball to push the lead to six. Starter Gabriel Perez (2-7) went 3.2 innings, giving up six earned runs on seven hits. Junior Cade Witzke pitched two innings in relief, followed by redshirt freshman Victor Leonardo, who recorded the final out in the sixth. Offensively, Graceland totaled seven hits, led by Gilbert's 2-for-4 effort with two runs scored. Yorges, senior Zach Tanabe, and redshirt sophomore Carson Chiprez each added a hit, and Klonsinski recorded a sac fly and an RBI. Despite a rally in the sixth, the Yellowjackets stranded nine runners and were held scoreless over the final three frames by Peru State right-hander Gio Pavletich, who went the distance with seven innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.

"We've been competing, but it always comes down to execution late in games," head coach Brad Payne said. "We were in both games today, especially Game 1, but a few missed opportunities and free passes hurt us. That's the next step for this team—finishing. I liked the energy in the dugout, and we'll turn our attention to a big weekend at home."

Up Next: Senior Day Series vs. MidAmerica Nazarene
Graceland returns to Lamoni to host MidAmerica Nazarene University in a four-game Heart series starting Friday, April 11. Game 1 is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Huntsman Field, with Senior Day ceremonies to be held before first pitch. The series continues with a Saturday doubleheader.

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