James' Grand Slam Powers GU To Split With Peru State
Despite outhitting the visiting Bobcats 16-8 over during the doubleheader, Peru State College (29-23, 10-8 HAAC) only needed four hits in the front end of the twin bill to knock off Christina Bradley and the Jackets, 3-1.
Errors have been a major hurdle in Graceland's attempt to finish amongst the elite in the HAAC the last few series, and today was no exception. In the top of the third inning, PSC struck first when Miranda Lyndes reached base on an uncharacteristic Staci Ritchey error, propelling the one-out inning. After back-to-back singles, Peru State notched the first run of the game off a Toni Blackwell infield single.
Limited to four hits over five innings, the Jacket had limited time to respond to the deficit, especially after the visitors tacked up two more runs in the top of the sixth. Immediately after a Blackwell single, Kristen Bodyk crushed a two-run shot to left on a 1-2 count.
The Jackets pieced together some offense in the bottom of the sixth to avoid the shutout. With one out Briana Douglas started the GU rally with an infield single. After Megan Nelsen came in to pinch run, Tiffany Craig reached base on a walk. Syndey Smith then picked up the Jackets' lone RBI when the freshman singled to left, breaking the Peru State shutout bid.
Graceland couldn't mount any more offense in the bottom of the seventh as the loss dropped GU from sole possession of second place in the HAAC standings. The Jackets' final positing would be determined by the doubleheader's second game.
Brittany Petersen led the Graceland offense with a 3-for-4 outing while four Jackets picked up hits to total seven in the game. Bradley suffered her third-straight loss, finishing the regular season at 13-6.
Game two started out shaky for the Jackets as starter Alyssa Greenstreet worked out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, fueled by three Greenstreet-issued walks. However, the junior pitcher forced a ground out to end the Bobcat threat.
Graceland was able to move a runner to second base in the bottom of the inning, but a Craig pop out ended the GU opportunity. Peru State posted the first run of the game in the top of the second as Ritchey wild throw to home plate assured the go-ahead run as the Jackets fell into a 1-0 hole.
In the bottom of the fourth, GU countered the Bobcats. Alyssa James doubled in Samantha Lawton, pinch running for Craig, to even the score at one.
James was the story again for Graceland in the bottom of the fifth as the junior hit a grand slam to empty the bases and catapult the Jackets to a commanding 7-1 lead. Earlier in the inning, Whitney Carrall's single to left was followed by a Ritchey walk, placing runners at first and second. Douglas sacrificed herself to move the runners up before Craig doubled to to left-center, scoring Carrall. Ritchey came around to score when a wild pitch allowed Graceland to take a 3-1 lead.
A lone Bobcat run in the top of the sixth wouldn't be enough for Peru State as Graceland closed out the doubleheader with a convincing 7-2 victory.
"We've just finished the most difficult three series of the season," said head coach Jeff Douglas. "I'm pleased with the effort the girls have shown. We're very proud of this season's accomplishments, especially making the postseason tournament for the first time in six years.
"However," Douglas added, "our hard work is just getting started."
With a series split, Graceland earned a trip to the HAAC conference tournament, its first since 2007. The Jackets finished with a 21-18 overall mark, including a 12-6 record in conference play. GU completes it season tied for second, but loses the tiebreaker to Evangel University who swept Graceland on April 21 in Springfield, Mo.
Graceland will now prepare to host MidAmerica Nazarene University on Friday (April 27) in a best-of-three series, slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday and, if necessary, will play a deciding third game on Saturday.