GU Splits Road Doubleheader with Baker (Kan.) in Nonconference Baseball Action
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — The Graceland University baseball team split a nonconference doubleheader against Baker (Kan.) on Thursday, falling 4-0 in the opener before responding with an 11-4 victory in the nightcap at Baker Ballpark.
The split moves Graceland to 6-8 overall and 1-3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, while Baker sits at 9-6 overall and 2-2 in conference competition following the two-game series.
Game 1 – Baker (Kan.) 4, Graceland 0
In the opening game, Graceland produced five hits but was unable to generate a run, as Baker right-hander Camden Karlin delivered a complete-game shutout. Karlin allowed five hits while striking out seven across seven innings and did not issue a walk.
Graceland threatened early and again late but left five runners on base. Beno Olmeda led the Yellowjackets with two hits, while Kellen Scruggs, Ambrus Sharky and Juan Guzman each added a base hit. Guzman also recorded the lone extra-base hit for Graceland with a double down the left-field line.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the third inning when Baker right fielder Jon Jenkins delivered a three-run home run, driving in TJ Armstrong and Cameron Selbach to give the Wildcats a 3-0 advantage. Baker later added an insurance run in the sixth inning when a runner scored on a wild pitch.
On the mound, Ryan Spencer took the loss after allowing three earned runs in three innings of work, issuing four walks while allowing two hits. The Graceland bullpen of Rafael Severino, Sergio Ruiz and Victor Leonardo combined to hold Baker to one run over the final three innings, limiting the Wildcats to four hits in the game.
Game 2 – Graceland 11, Baker (Kan.) 4
Graceland responded in the second game with an 11-run offensive output highlighted by a five-run sixth inning, using patience at the plate and timely hitting to secure the split.
The Yellowjackets struck first in the opening inning when Gabriel Perez singled up the middle to drive in Ambrus Sharky, followed by Ryan Spencer delivering an RBI single to center field to give Graceland an early 2-0 lead.
Baker answered with three runs in the first inning, including a two-run home run from TJ Armstrong, and added another run in the second to take a 4-2 lead. Graceland responded in the third inning, plating two runs on a bases-loaded walk from Rafael Calcano and a hit-by-pitch RBI from Ian Martinez to tie the game at 4-4.
The Yellowjackets broke the game open in the sixth inning. Calcano led off the frame with a solo home run, and Graceland later scored four additional runs in the inning on a sequence of bases-loaded situations including walks to Kellen Scruggs, Juan Guzman and Ryan Spencer, along with a hit-by-pitch RBI from Perez.
Graceland added two more runs in the seventh inning when Scruggs delivered a two-RBI single through the right side, bringing home Drake Matney and Darius Sparks to extend the lead to 11-4.
The Yellowjackets finished the game with seven hits and drew 10 walks, demonstrating disciplined plate appearances and forcing Baker pitching into multiple high-leverage counts. Scruggs paced the offense with two hits and three RBIs, while Perez added two RBIs and Spencer drove in two runs.
On the mound, Johanno Perdomo earned the win in relief, tossing a scoreless inning after starter Kellen Cameron worked four innings. The bullpen combination of Perdomo, Rafael Severino and Sergio Ruiz held Baker scoreless over the final three innings, allowing only one hit while preserving the seven-run victory.
Following the doubleheader split, Graceland head coach Brad Payne emphasized the importance of consistent execution in conference play.
"I thought our group competed well across both games and responded the right way after the first one," Payne said. "In the second game we did a better job controlling the strike zone, extending at-bats and putting pressure on their pitching staff. We still need to tighten up some defensive details and continue executing situational baseball, but the response and the way we generated offense late was encouraging."
Graceland continues its weekend schedule on Sunday, March 8, when the Yellowjackets travel to Fayette, Missouri, for a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Central Methodist. First pitch of the twin bill is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT at Estes Field, with the second game slated for approximately 3:30 p.m.
For more information on Graceland baseball and all Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.