Yellowjackets Secure Conference Victory in Doubleheader at Clarke
DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Graceland University softball team split a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader with Clarke (Iowa) on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park, falling 2-1 in Game 1 before responding with a 5-1 victory in Game 2. The split moved the Yellowjackets to 6-20 overall and 1-3 in conference play, while Clarke finished the day 11-13 overall and 2-2 in the Heart.
In the opening game, the Yellowjackets produced seven hits but were unable to capitalize in key scoring situations. Clarke struck first in the second inning when Kynadee Harris delivered an RBI single, driving in Lauren Hefel to give the Pride a 1-0 lead.
Graceland responded in the fifth inning with a run-scoring swing from Sydney Bears, who singled to right field and advanced on a fielding error to plate Brea Headly and tie the contest 1-1.
Clarke answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning when Oakleigh Harman lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Kaylie Holtam and providing the eventual 2-1 advantage.
Brea Headly led the Yellowjackets offensively with a 3-for-3 performance, while Bears added two hits and an RBI. In the circle, Makenzie Leake (2-4) delivered a complete-game effort, allowing two runs on nine hits across six innings.
Graceland responded with a strong performance in Game 2 behind timely hitting and solid pitching. Clarke took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Yellowjackets answered in the fifth with a productive offensive frame.
Makenzie Leake drove in the tying run with an RBI single, before Brea Headly delivered a two-run single through the middle, giving Graceland a 3-1 advantage.
The Yellowjackets extended the lead in the sixth inning. Josie McCuddin doubled to left field to drive in a run, and another run scored on a defensive miscue as Graceland built a 5-1 cushion.
Sydney Bears finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while McCuddin collected two hits and an RBI. Headly contributed two RBIs, and the Yellowjackets totaled nine hits and five runs in the victory.
In the circle, McKenna Kelley (3-7) delivered a complete-game effort, limiting Clarke to one run on six hits while recording two strikeouts across seven innings to secure the conference win.
Following the doubleheader, Graceland head coach Todd Verwers said the team showed resilience after the narrow loss in the opener.
"The first game was a tight one where we had opportunities but couldn't quite get the timely hit," Verwers said. "I liked the way our hitters stayed disciplined in Game 2 and executed with runners in scoring position. Our pitching staff kept the ball in the zone and our defense made the plays behind them. It was good to see the team respond and finish the day with a strong conference win."
Graceland will return to action Tuesday, March 17 when the Yellowjackets travel to Des Moines, Iowa for a doubleheader against Grand View, scheduled for 2 p.m. CDT and 4 p.m. CDT at Richard O. Jacobson Field as Heart of America Athletic Conference play continues.
For more information on Graceland softball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.