Graceland Drops Two at Turfs Up Tournament in Branson

BRANSON, Mo. — The Graceland University softball team dropped two games Friday at the Turfs Up Tournament at the Branson Rec Plex, falling 2-1 to York (Neb.) in the opener and 10-1 in five innings to Viterbo in the nightcap. The Yellowjackets move to 1-8 overall (0-0 Heart of America Athletic Conference), while York improves to 2-7 (0-0) and Viterbo stands at 1-0 (0-0).

In the first game, Graceland was edged despite a strong effort in the circle from McKenna Kelley. The right-hander went the distance, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing three hits and two runs, one earned, with five strikeouts and no walks over 94 pitches . She induced 13 ground-ball outs and faced 25 batters in the complete-game performance.

Graceland manufactured its lone run in the bottom of the first. Kelley opened the frame with a double down the left-field line and advanced to third on a stolen base. Makenzie Leake delivered a sacrifice fly to left field, driving in Kelley for a 1-0 advantage.

York answered in the second inning, capitalizing on a fielding error to plate an unearned run. The Panthers pushed across the go-ahead run in the sixth on an RBI single to center. Graceland was limited to three hits in the contest, with Kelley going 2-for-3 and Leake accounting for the team's only RBI. The Yellowjackets left four runners on base and were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

In the second game, Viterbo used an early offensive surge to secure the run-rule victory. The V-Hawks tallied three runs in the first and added two in the third before breaking the game open with a five-run fifth inning. Viterbo finished with 11 hits, including a two-RBI double and a three-RBI performance from the bottom half of the lineup .

Graceland was held to one hit over five innings. Gracie Dickson recorded the Yellowjackets' lone base knock, while Paige Pieper scored the team's only run in the fifth after reaching base and advancing on a fielding error. Graceland drew three walks and struck out three times.

Kaylee Henry took the loss in the circle, working 4.2 innings and allowing 11 hits and 10 runs, seven earned, with three walks and two strikeouts. She faced 29 batters in the outing.

"We competed well in the circle in the first game and put ourselves in position late," head coach Todd Verwers said. "Offensively, we need to execute situational at-bats and limit defensive miscues. The margin is small in these games, and we have to be cleaner fundamentally."

Through two games Friday, Graceland totaled four hits across 12 innings and committed two errors defensively. The pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts.

Graceland returns to action Saturday, Feb. 21, facing Sterling at 1:30 p.m. CST and Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) at 3:30 p.m. CST at the Turfs Up Tournament, held at the Branson Rec Plex in Branson, Missouri.

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