Yellowjackets Battle but Fall in Pair of One-Run Losses to William Penn
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Graceland University baseball team continued Heart of America Athletic Conference play Saturday with a doubleheader at William Penn, falling 2-1 in Game 1 and 9-8 in Game 2 at Statesmen Ballpark. The Yellowjackets now stand 6-17 overall and 0-4 in conference play, while the Statesmen improved to 13-8 overall and 4-0 in the Heart.
Despite the outcomes, the Yellowjackets displayed improved execution across both contests, playing two tightly contested games decided by a single run.
In the opener, Graceland produced six hits but was unable to generate sustained offensive momentum, falling 2-1. William Penn plated an unearned run in the first inning on an RBI single by Keoni Young, before adding another unearned run in the fourth when Aiden North delivered an RBI triple to left center.
Graceland answered in the fifth inning with situational execution. After Josh Tomas doubled to right field, the Yellowjackets advanced a runner into scoring position before Carson Chiprez lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing home Ashtyn Sims to cut the deficit to 2-1.
On the mound, Gabriel Perez delivered a quality start, working six innings while allowing just five hits and two runs—both unearned—while striking out two. Perez consistently induced ground balls and limited damage, but defensive miscues extended innings for the Statesmen.
The Yellowjackets collected six hits in Game 1, with Kellen Scruggs and Gabriel Perez each recording multi-hit performances, while Josh Tomas added a double.
Game 2 featured an offensive surge from both teams in a back-and-forth contest that ultimately ended 9-8 in favor of William Penn.
Graceland opened the scoring in the first inning when Rafael Calcano lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Darius Sparks to cross the plate. However, the Statesmen responded with a five-run first inning highlighted by Sawyer Hardman's three-run home run.
Trailing 6-1 entering the fourth, the Yellowjackets mounted their most explosive inning of the day. Beno Olmeda delivered a bases-clearing double, driving in three runs, before Kellen Scruggs launched a two-run home run to give Graceland a 7-6 advantage. Moments later, Gabriel Perez added a solo home run, completing a seven-run frame that flipped the momentum.
William Penn answered in the fifth inning when Keoni Young connected on a three-run home run, reclaiming the lead at 9-8, which ultimately stood as the final margin.
Graceland totaled nine hits in the second game, with Scruggs finishing 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while Olmeda drove in three runs with his extra-base hit. Gabriel Perez also homered, contributing to the Yellowjackets' offensive surge.
Following the doubleheader, Graceland head coach Brad Payne emphasized the team's response after Friday's losses and the progress shown in Saturday's games.
"Yesterday was frustrating for our group, but I was proud of the way our guys responded today," Payne said. "Even though we didn't come away with the wins, there was clear progress in how we played the game. We executed better situational baseball, competed in every inning and gave ourselves chances late. When you're playing conference games on the road, those one-run games come down to the small details. Our focus now is continuing to clean up those details and build off the positives we saw today."
Graceland will return to conference action next weekend with a four-game Heart of America Athletic Conference series against Clarke (Iowa). The series begins Saturday, March 21 with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT and 3:30 p.m. CDT at A.J. Spiegel Park in Peosta, Iowa, before concluding Sunday, March 22 with games at 1 p.m. CDT and 3:30 p.m. CDT.
For more information on Graceland baseball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.