Softball Battles in Branson Doubleheader, Falls to Doane and Friends

BRANSON, Mo. – The Graceland University Yellowjackets played a pair of tough games on Saturday, dropping a close extra-inning contest to Doane University, 3-2, before falling 8-1 against Friends University at the Branson RecPlex.

Game 1: Doane 3, Graceland 2 (8 Innings)

Graceland (7-15, 0-0) held a lead late in the game but could not hold off Doane (8-10, 0-0), falling in extra innings.

Doane broke a scoreless tie in the fourth with an RBI double from K. Meyer. The Yellowjackets responded in the bottom half of the inning when K. Vandemark launched a two-run home run to right-center, scoring J. Gay and giving Graceland a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers tied it in the seventh with a solo home run from Meyer, sending the game into extras. Doane then capitalized on a passed ball in the eighth, scoring the game-winning run.

Graceland's Sammi Bradshaw (4-6) pitched a complete game, working eight innings while allowing six hits and two earned runs with nine strikeouts. Doane's B. True shut down the Yellowjackets over 4.2 innings in relief, striking out seven while securing the win.

• Offensive Highlights:
  • Graceland: K. Vandemark (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs), J. Gay (1-for-3, R), C. Peters (2-for-4).
  • Doane: K. Meyer (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs), G. Dowding (1-for-3, R).

Coach Verwers on Game 1:
"Sammi pitched outstanding today and gave us a chance to win. She attacked the strike zone, worked efficiently, and really controlled the game. We just needed to come up with a few more key hits to finish it off."

Game 2: Friends 8, Graceland 1

Graceland struggled to generate offense against Friends University (8-0, 0-0) in the second game, as Friends' pitcher J. Ormiston threw a no-hitter in a dominant 8-1 performance.

Friends jumped out to an early lead with a three-run second inning, then broke the game open in the third with a four-run rally. Graceland broke the shutout with a run in the seventh but could not mount a comeback.

Graceland's P. Pialet (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on 12 hits in 2.2 innings of work. A. Henry pitched 1.1 innings of relief, giving up one run.

• Offensive Highlights:
  • Graceland: K. Vandemark recorded the team's only hit in the seventh inning.
  • Friends: E. Montoya (3-for-3, 3 RBIs), T. Moreno (3-for-3, 2 RBIs), T. Lozoya (2-for-2, 2 RBIs).

Coach Verwers on Game 2:
"You have to give credit to Friends and their pitcher—she threw a great game. We struggled to make adjustments, and that cost us. It's a learning experience, and we will continue to work on our approach at the plate."

Next Up

Graceland will travel to Columbia, Missouri, to take on Stephens College on Wednesday, March 12, with a doubleheader set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

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