Big Innings Doom Jackets in Twinbill Losses to Culver-Stockton

CANTON, Mo. —Graceland University baseball dropped both games of a Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) doubleheader Tuesday afternoon to Culver-Stockton College at Nichols Field. The Yellowjackets fell 6-3 in the opener before being overwhelmed 23-1 in the nightcap. With the losses, Graceland falls to 14-22 overall and 7-13 in HAAC play, while Culver-Stockton improves to 12-16 overall and 6-10 in the conference.

The defeats extended Graceland's current losing streak to nine games, with struggles on the mound and limited run production continuing to impact outcomes.

Game One Recap: Culver-Stockton 6, Graceland 3 — Graceland took a 3-0 lead early, scoring twice in the second inning and once more in the third. However, Culver-Stockton answered with six unanswered runs over the final three innings to secure the win. Brian Knutsen opened the scoring with an RBI single in the second, bringing home Jake Bauer. JD Woodruff added a run-scoring hit, plating Cade Connell, and Beno Olmeda drove in Zach Tanabe with an RBI single in the third. Gabriel Perez (2-6) took the loss, allowing four earned runs over 4.1 innings, walking five and striking out two. Rafael Severino pitched the remaining 1.2 innings in relief, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Carson Chiprez, Connell, and Olmeda each tallied a hit, while Connor Parkhill (2-2) earned the complete game win for the Wildcats, striking out seven and walking two.

Game Two Recap: Culver-Stockton 23, Graceland 1 — The nightcap saw the Wildcats explode for 11 runs in the first inning, overwhelming a Graceland pitching staff that used six different arms. Starter Zach Tanabe (1-2) recorded just one out before being lifted after allowing 10 earned runs on eight hits. The Wildcats totaled 22 hits and hit five home runs, including a grand slam by Jorge Andujar and a three-run blast by James Morris. Graceland was limited to just three hits, with its lone run coming in the fifth. Javin Stevenson reached on a single, moved up on a fielding error, and scored on a Woodruff sacrifice fly. Out of the bullpen, Cade Witzke threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit with one strikeout. James Martini (2-0) picked up the win for Culver-Stockton, working five innings with five strikeouts and no earned runs. Jordan Marty closed the final two frames to secure the win.

Head coach Brad Payne addressed the team's ongoing skid with an eye toward improvement:

"We've hit a tough stretch, no question. Today was about execution and we didn't do enough of it, especially early," Payne said. "But our guys are staying committed. The focus now is on bouncing back and attacking the weekend with energy and purpose."

Up Next — Graceland travels to Peru, Nebraska this weekend for a four-game conference series against Peru State College. Doubleheaders are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with first pitches set for 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day at the PSC Baseball Field.

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