GU Split's DH, Fall to Northwestern Before Rallying Past College of the Ozarks
LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland University baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader, falling to Northwestern (Iowa), 7-1, before rallying for a 5-4 victory over College of the Ozarks at Chase Stadium . With the split, Graceland moves to 3-5 overall and 0-0 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. Northwestern improves to 4-1 overall (0-0), while College of the Ozarks drops to 4-3 overall (0-0).
In the opener, Northwestern scored seven runs on seven hits and capitalized on three Graceland errors . The Red Raiders plated two unearned runs in the third inning before adding three more in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run single from Bryce Click. Northwestern added two runs in the fifth to extend the lead.
Graceland's lone run came in the bottom of the third when Kellen Scruggs drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in Carson Chiprez . Chiprez, Darius Sparks, Scruggs and Drake Matney each recorded one hit in the contest. On the mound, Jacob Abernathey (0-2) allowed five runs—one earned—over 3.1 innings with four strikeouts .
The Yellowjackets responded in game two, overcoming a 4-1 deficit to earn a 5-4 victory over College of the Ozarks .
College of the Ozarks built its lead with three runs through four innings, but Graceland answered in the fourth when Gabriel Perez delivered a two-run single to right field, scoring Ian Martinez and Scruggs to cut the margin to 3-2 .
After the Bobcats added a run in the seventh, Graceland mounted a two-out rally in the bottom half of the inning. Rafael Calcano singled to center field, driving in Chiprez and Ashtyn Sims to trim the deficit to 4-3 .
In the eighth inning, Graceland capitalized on two hit batters to create scoring pressure. Drake Matney delivered an RBI single to third base, scoring Hagen Wilmes and giving the Yellowjackets a 5-4 lead .
Perez finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Chiprez went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Calcano drove in two runs in his lone at-bat. Matney added one RBI as part of a seven-hit effort for the Yellowjackets.
On the mound, Cohen Kelsey worked five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts . Sergio Ruiz provided 1.1 innings of relief before Juan Guzman (1-0) secured the win with 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing no hits .
Head Coach Brad Payne emphasized the team's response after the opener.
"We didn't execute consistently in the first game, especially defensively," Payne said. "In the second game, we competed in two-strike counts, executed situationally and got quality innings from our bullpen. That was a much cleaner performance."
Graceland returns to action Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 12 p.m. CST when the Yellowjackets travel to Columbia, Missouri, to face Columbia (Mo.) at Cougar Baseball Field.
For more information on Graceland baseball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.