Season Ends on High Note as GU Completes Sweep

Springfield, MO - It was a great day for offense as the Graceland baseball team swept the second set of games against Evangel University, 11-7 and 11-1.

The first game saw each team tally a run in the 2nd inning before the Crusader bats exploded in the 5th inning. Evangel put up five runs off starter Carlos Mercado in the inning, before the Dominican right-hander escaped.

The GU offense remained silent until the 7th, where the Jackets took advantage of their last chance at recovery and hammered through five runs off Evangel starter Sam Garrison to tie it up at 6-6.

In extra innings, Graceland crossed five more in the top of the 9th to go up 11-6.

Lefty Sam Lopez (W, 2-1) relieved Mercado in the 6th inning and pitched the next three innings to get the win.

Dillon Stoner pitched the 9th, surrending a run on two hits before putting the Crusaders away.

Gabriel Ayala was 3 for 5 with a home run and a pair of RBIs, while first baseman Euddi Ortega also went yard for a two-run shot for his sole hit of the game.

Game two saw the Jackets start strong with six runs in the first two innings.

Jose Rosario (W, 3-2) went six innings. Rosario surrendered a run in his last inning of work and allowing four total hits for his afternoon. Arnaldo Gomez pitched a scoreless 7th to complete the victory.

Graceland added two a piece in the 5th and 6th innings in support of Rosario.

Francis Rodriguez was 3 for 4 with an RBI, while Chase Kuehl and Gabriel Ayala both managed a pair of RBIs despite going hitless. Steven Rodriguez was plated three times as the center fielder reached base on three of his four appearences at the plate.

The Jackets finish 21-24 on the season, with an 11-12 record in HAAC play.

Stay tuned to GUJackets.com for continuing coverage of the Jacket baseball team as they enter the off-season break.