Graceland Walks Off Stephens After Tournament Split in Branson
BRANSON, Mo. — The Graceland University softball team split a pair of games Friday at the Branson Grand Slam Tournament, falling to Cottey College, 8-1, before responding with a 13-12 extra-inning victory over Stephens College at the Branson Rec Plex. The Yellowjackets used timely extra-base hits and late offensive production to secure the win in the nightcap.
Graceland entered the day at 4-14 overall (0-0 Heart of America Athletic Conference) and concluded the split at 5-15 overall. Cottey improved from 10-4 to 11-4, while Stephens College moved from 1-6 to 1-7 following the lossCottey used a three-run second inning and a four-run fifth to secure an 8-1 win over the Yellowjackets in the tournament opener.
Cottey generated steady offense throughout the lineup, finishing with 11 hits, led by senior second baseman Estelle Audette, senior first baseman Makayla Snyder, and senior catcher/infield Halen Hoelzeman.
The Comets broke the game open in the second inning, when senior utility Alma Garcia recorded a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Hoelzeman before senior outfielder Bailey Cravens delivered a two-run single, scoring Snyder and freshman catcher Natalie Gonzalez.
Cottey added insurance in the fifth inning when sophomore outfielder Grayce Taylor launched a two-run home run, extending the Comets' lead during a four-run frame. Graceland responded in the second game with a 13-12 extra-inning victory over Stephens College, finishing with 15 hits in the back-and-forth contest.
The Yellowjackets opened the scoring in the first inning when junior shortstop Josie McCuddin doubled to left field, scoring junior catcher Sydney Bears. Graceland added two more runs in the second inning, highlighted by a sacrifice RBI from sophomore outfielder Gracie Dickson and an RBI single from junior utility McKenna Kelley.
Stephens answered with production from freshman catcher Skylar Jacobs, senior pitcher/utility Elise Kendrick, and freshman catcher/first baseman Kendall Rhorer, helping the Stars build a 12-9 lead entering the seventh inning.
Graceland rallied in the seventh inning, as junior outfielder Alyssa Good delivered a run-scoring double, followed by a two-run double from Dickson and an RBI double from Bears, tying the game at 12-12.
In the eighth inning, Good again delivered with a double to center field, scoring the placed runner and securing the walk-off victory for the Yellowjackets. At the plate, Bears led the lineup with three hits, while Good recorded two doubles and two RBIs. Dickson finished with four RBIs, and freshman infielder Paige Piper added a two-run double during the fifth inning rally.
Head coach Todd Verwers credited the team's response following the opening game.
"We showed a lot of resilience after the first game. Our hitters stayed disciplined in the box and we were able to create pressure with extra-base hits late in the game," Verwers said. "It was a strong response from our lineup, and we were able to execute in key situations to finish the game."
Graceland continues play at the Branson Grand Slam Tournament on Saturday, March 7, beginning with an 8:30 a.m. CST matchup against Briar Cliff (Iowa) at the Branson Rec Plex in Branson, Missouri. The Yellowjackets will return to the field later in the day for a 12:30 p.m. CST contest against Evangel (Missouri) at the same venue as tournament play continues.
For more information on Graceland softball and all Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.