Graceland Baseball Drops Doubleheader at Peru State

PERU, Neb. — The Graceland University baseball team came up short in both games of a Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-2 in Game 1 and 7-6 in Game 2 to Peru State College. The Yellowjackets, after a promising 14-13 start, have now dropped 11 straight contests, moving to 14-24 overall and 7-15 in HAAC play. Peru State improves to 11-21 overall and 5-11 in conference action.

In Game 1, senior Gabriel Perez gave the Jackets a late spark with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning, but Graceland was unable to climb out of a five-run hole. Senior Zach Tanabe singled and scored ahead of Perez's blast for the Yellowjackets' only runs of the game. Jayden Gilbert, a junior from San Leandro, California, went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Graceland's offense, which totaled eight hits. Senior right-hander Jacob Abernathey (1-5) started on the mound and was charged with the loss after allowing five earned runs over four innings pitched. Relievers Victor Leonardo, Brian Knutsen, and Dylan Batista combined for two shutout innings to close the game. Peru State's Kenny Diaz threw a complete game for the win, striking out nine without walking a batter.

In Game 2, the Yellowjackets rallied from a 6-1 deficit in the fifth inning with a five-run frame to tie the game, but could not complete the comeback. Jayden Gilbert again provided key offense with a two-RBI single, and Beno Olmeda worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in the tying run. Junior Trevor Yorges and sophomore Carson Chiprez each recorded multi-hit performances, and Tanabe reached base twice while scoring a run. Despite an 11-hit effort, Graceland stranded 13 runners on base. On the mound, junior Kellen Cameron started and allowed five earned runs over 3.1 innings. Rafael Severino and Thiago Telles combined for 4.2 innings of relief, with Telles taking the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth. Senior Xavier Solla delivered the game-winning RBI for the Bobcats with a single that scored Adrian Betancour.

"We battled all day, and that's what we keep asking our guys to do," said Graceland head coach Brad Payne. "We're still fighting and staying competitive, even in this stretch. There are positives to take away, but we have to finish games and execute in the big spots."

Up Next: Graceland and Peru State will conclude their four-game series on Sunday, April 7, with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Peru State Baseball Field in Peru, Nebraska.

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