Late-Inning Rally Falls Short as GU Drops Extra-Inning Contest to Culver-Stockton

CANTON, Mo. — The Graceland University softball team erased an early deficit but could not complete the comeback, falling 7-6 in eight innings to Culver-Stockton College on Saturday at Himsl Field. Graceland moves to 8-36 overall and 3-19 in conference play, while Culver-Stockton improves to 26-22 overall and 13-13 in league action.

Culver-Stockton plated four runs in the first inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting, including a two-RBI double and a sacrifice fly. Graceland settled in defensively but trailed 5-1 entering the sixth inning after a solo home run extended the Wildcats' lead.

The Yellowjackets responded with a five-run surge across the sixth and seventh innings, using situational hitting and aggressive baserunning. Makenzie Leake led the offense with a 4-for-5 performance, driving in runs with base hits through the left side. Brooklynn Glasgow and Alyssa Good each delivered RBI singles, while McKenna Kelley added a run-scoring base hit up the middle to help tie the game at 6-6.

In the circle, Leake logged the bulk of the innings, working through traffic and limiting further damage after the opening frame. The Yellowjackets collected nine hits in the contest but left key runners stranded late.

Culver-Stockton secured the walk-off in the eighth inning, taking advantage of a leadoff single, a double to the gap and a defensive error to push across the winning run.

Interim Head Coach Brady McKillip:
"We competed better as the game went on and gave ourselves a chance late. We just didn't execute a couple plays we needed to finish it."

Graceland returns to action Tuesday, April 21, with a road doubleheader against Peru State College. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CDT, followed by game two at 3:00 p.m. CDT at Centennial Softball Complex in Peru, Nebraska.

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