Yellowjackets Sweep Peru State to Open Conference Play
LAMONI, Iowa – The Graceland University softball team opened Heart of America Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep of Peru State College, claiming a 3-2 win in Game 1 and a 5-4 walk-off victory in Game 2 at North Park Field.
With the pair of victories, Graceland improves to 9-17 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while Peru State drops to 3-15 overall and 0-2 in the Heart.
Game 1: Graceland 3, Peru State 2
The Yellowjackets overcame an early two-run deficit by scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Senior pitcher Sammi Bradshaw earned the complete-game win, her first of the season, allowing just two earned runs on five hits while striking out seven in seven innings.
Graceland's second-inning rally began with a single from junior Kady Vandemark, followed by a hit-by-pitch and a Peru State fielding error. With the bases loaded, sophomore Paige Pialet delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring senior Charlee Peters. Junior Malorie McKinney reached on an error that allowed another run to score, and sophomore Kaitlyn Cook reached on a second error to bring in what proved to be the game-winning run.
Bradshaw shut down Peru State's lineup the rest of the way, retiring the final three batters in order in the seventh inning to seal the win. The Yellowjackets did not issue a walk and committed no defensive errors in the contest.
Game 2: Graceland 5, Peru State 4
In the nightcap, Graceland rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk off with a 5-4 victory. Sophomore Paige Pialet went the distance in the circle, picking up the win with a complete-game performance. She allowed seven hits and four earned runs while striking out one and walking just one.
Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, Pialet started the rally with a single. Sophomore Kaitlyn Cook drew a walk, and senior Sammi Bradshaw moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt. Senior Jayda Gay followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. After a groundout, junior Kady Vandemark delivered a two-RBI single to center field, scoring Cook and Gay for the game-winning runs.
Vandemark finished with two hits and two RBIs in Game 2, while Gay, freshman catcher Brooklynn Glasgow, and Pialet also drove in runs. Pialet reached base in both games and scored the game-winning run in the second contest.
"This was a big day for our group," said head coach Todd Verwers. "We were resilient, especially in that second game. The team showed poise in pressure situations, and I'm proud of how they competed every inning."
Graceland collected six hits in the second game and overcame three defensive errors with timely hitting and execution. Peru State stranded nine runners and did not score after the fourth inning.
Up Next
The Yellowjackets will continue conference play on the road Sunday, March 23, with a doubleheader at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at approximately 3 p.m.
For more information on Graceland softball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.