Baseball Battles, Drops Four-Game Set Against MidAmerica Nazarene

LAMONI, IA - The Graceland University baseball team hosted MidAmerica Nazarene University for a four-game conference series this weekend at Chase Stadium, with the Yellowjackets falling in all four contests to the high-powered Pioneers. The series included a senior day tribute recognizing Graceland's graduating class. With the results, Graceland moved to 14-30 overall, 7-21 Heart of America, while MNU improved to 26-11 overall, 19-5 in conference play.

GAME ONE (Friday, April 11)
MidAmerica Nazarene 6, Graceland 0
The opener was a pitcher's duel early, but MNU capitalized on a second-inning error and followed with a two-run homer from catcher Kobe Crespo. The Pioneers added three more runs in the third and fifth to take command. Left-hander Kellen Cameron took the loss for Graceland, going five innings and allowing six earned runs on seven hits. Senior Elio Narvaez went 2-for-3 at the plate. Luis Lopez earned the complete-game win for MNU, striking out 11 in the shutout.

GAME TWO (Friday, April 11)
MidAmerica Nazarene 16, Graceland 6
In a wild offensive contest, Graceland got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single from Zach Tanabe scoring Narvaez. But the Pioneers exploded for eight runs in the third inning, including homers from Damon Woodley, Kane Owens, and Spencer Maple. Tanabe added a triple and four RBIs, while senior Trevor Yorges and JD Woodruff chipped in hits. Sophomore Maddox Klonsinski and Narvaez each recorded multi-hit efforts. On the mound, Jacob Abernathey took the loss, and Graceland used eight pitchers to finish the game.

GAME THREE (Saturday, April 12)
MidAmerica Nazarene 16, Graceland 5
Graceland trailed 11-0 before mounting a rally in the fifth inning. Tanabe launched a grand slam to center, scoring Dawson Sparks, Klonsinski, and Christian Chiprez. In the sixth, Kato Dougan singled home James Gilbert, but MNU continued its offensive dominance. The Pioneers posted 16 hits and 14 RBIs, including multi-hit performances from six batters. Izaac Rabelo started and took the loss for Graceland, while Thiago Telles, Gabe Perez, Kristian Cardejon, and Dylan Batista pitched in relief.

GAME FOUR (Saturday, April 12)
MidAmerica Nazarene 6, Graceland 5
In the most competitive game of the series, Graceland nearly pulled off a late comeback. MNU jumped ahead 6-1 by the fourth inning, but the Yellowjackets answered in the fifth with a four-run surge. Narvaez and Tanabe delivered RBI singles, and Gilbert drove in a run with a single of his own. Perez, who started as designated hitter, came on in relief and pitched four innings, allowing just one earned run. Senior catcher JD Woodruff and Dougan both added base hits in the late innings, but MNU's bullpen held the one-run margin.

Coach's Comments
Despite the results, head coach Brad Payne remained proud of his team's spirit and effort.

"This has been a tough stretch, no doubt, but I absolutely love coaching this group," Payne said. "Their resilience, their heart, and the way they continue to compete says a lot about who they are. This senior class means the world to me—they were the first group I've had as a head coach, and they'll be remembered forever. We're building something here, and it starts with guys like them."

NEXT UP: Road Series at Baker University

The Yellowjackets return to Heart of America play next weekend, traveling to Baldwin City, Kansas, for a four-game set against Baker University. The series opens Saturday, April 19, with games at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., and continues Sunday, April 20, also at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., at Sauder Field.

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