Graceland Softball Drops Twin Bill at Southwestern

WINFIELD, Kan. — The Graceland University softball team fell to Southwestern in both games of a nonconference doubleheader Thursday at Broadway Sports Complex, dropping a 5-0 decision in Game 1 and a 7-1 contest in Game 2. With the losses, the Yellowjackets move to 0-6 overall (0-0 Heart of America Athletic Conference), while Southwestern improves to 2-0 overall (0-0 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) .

In the opener, Graceland was limited to two hits over seven innings against Southwestern right-hander F. Campbell, who worked a complete-game shutout with seven strikeouts . M. Leake and S. Bears each recorded singles, accounting for the Yellowjackets' only base hits . Graceland left four runners on base and was held scoreless despite putting a runner aboard in three separate innings.

Southwestern broke through in the third inning with an RBI single from T. Mesna and added insurance in the fifth on an RBI double by F. Howard . The decisive blow came in the sixth inning when T. Henry delivered a bases-clearing triple to extend the margin to five runs . Graceland pitchers M. Leake and M. Kelley combined for six innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs while issuing five walks .

In Game 2, the Yellowjackets again faced early pressure as Southwestern plated two runs in the first inning and added another in the second . Graceland responded in the third when G. Dickson tripled and later scored on a groundout by M. Leake to cut the deficit to 3-1 . The Yellowjackets collected five hits in the nightcap, highlighted by a double from S. Bears and a triple from Dickson .

Southwestern created separation in the fifth inning with a four-run frame, capitalizing on consecutive extra-base hits, including a three-RBI double from E. Ortiz . Graceland totaled four walks in Game 2 but left nine runners on base and committed two defensive errors .

"We competed in stretches, but we have to execute better in the circle and with runners in scoring position," head coach Todd Verwers said. "We generated some quality at-bats and put the ball in play, but we need to string together hits and limit free passes defensively."

The Yellowjackets now prepare for a return trip to Winfield for back-to-back twin bills this weekend.

Graceland will face Southwestern on Friday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. CST at Broadway Sports Complex in Winfield, Kansas, before concluding the series Saturday at the same venue.

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