Concordia (NE) Takes Twin Bill from Graceland at LaRoche Complex

FORT SCOTT, Kan. — The Graceland University baseball team dropped both ends of a nonconference doubleheader to Concordia (NE) on Friday at the LaRoche Baseball Complex, falling 15-5 and 15-1. Graceland moves to 5-8 overall (0-0 Heart of America Athletic Conference), while Concordia improves to 9-3 overall (0-0 GPAC).

In the opener, the Yellowjackets struck first with a four-run first inning. Ambrus Sharky doubled to begin the frame, and Beno Olmeda followed with an RBI single to center. After Kellen Scruggs reached with a base hit, Gabriel Perez delivered a three-run home run to left field, giving Graceland an early 4-0 advantage.

Concordia answered in the bottom half with three runs, capitalizing on walks and a two-run single from Jake Watson. The Bulldogs took control in the second inning when Jaeden Jordahl delivered a two-RBI double. A three-run home run by Bronx Lewis in the third extended the margin to 8-4.

Graceland plated its final run in the sixth inning when Juan Guzman doubled and later scored on an RBI double by Josh Tomas. The Yellowjackets totaled eight hits, including doubles from Ambrus Sharky, Juan Guzman and Josh Tomas.

Gabriel Perez started on the mound and worked 2 1/3 innings before Ryan Spencer entered in relief. Luke Frost, Cale Morrow and Fernando Velez combined to cover the final frames as Concordia compiled 15 hits, including two home runs and six extra-base hits.

In the later afternoon tilt, Graceland again scored in the first inning. Ambrus Sharky drew a walk, advanced on a single by Beno Olmeda and scored on an RBI single from Kellen Scruggs, giving the Yellowjackets a 1-0 lead.

Concordia responded with three runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Luke Wilson. A three-run home run by Jaeden Jordahl in the second inning extended the Bulldogs' advantage. Concordia added single runs in the third and fifth before breaking the game open with a seven-run sixth inning that featured a home run by Jimmy Blumberg and multiple run-scoring extra-base hits.

Graceland collected six hits in the second contest. Beno Olmeda, Gabriel Perez and Darius Sparks each recorded base hits, while Ian Martinez added a single in a pinch-hit appearance. The Yellowjackets stranded eight runners and struck out nine times.

Johanno Perdomo started on the mound, allowing eight runs over four innings. Kellen Cameron and Fernando Velez worked in relief as Concordia totaled 13 hits in the game.

Head coach Brad Payne emphasized execution and strike-throwing following the twin bill.

"We showed offensive production early in both games, but we did not sustain pressure inning to inning," Payne said. "On the mound, we need to limit free passes and execute with two strikes. Against a lineup that drives the baseball, missing spots leads to big innings."

Graceland returns to the LaRoche Baseball Complex on Saturday, Feb. 28, for a twin bill against Concordia (NE) beginning at 1 p.m. CST, followed by a 3:30 p.m. first pitch. Saturday's matchup concludes the four-game, two-day series in Fort Scott, Kansas.

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