Graceland Softball Sweeps Missouri Valley to Improve to 12-22 Overall

LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland University softball team earned a doubleheader sweep against Missouri Valley College on Tuesday afternoon at North Park, winning 10-0 (5 inn.) in Game 1 and 4-1 in Game 2. The victories push the Yellowjackets to 12-22 overall and 5-5 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play, while the Vikings fall to 7-30 overall and 0-13 in the conference.

In Game 1, Graceland struck early and often, plating runs in each of the first four innings. The Yellowjackets exploded for six runs in the fourth, breaking open what had been a 4-0 game. Junior Kady Vandemark went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, including a two-RBI double during the fourth-inning surge. Sophomore Aliyah Farrell drove in two runs with a double and scored twice. Junior catcher Malorie McKinney added a two-RBI double and reached base three times.

Senior pitcher Sammi Bradshaw was dominant in the circle, tossing a one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts and no walks over 5.0 innings, needing just 57 pitches to secure the win and improve her season record to 8-8.

The Graceland offense collected eight hits and took advantage of three Missouri Valley errors and multiple wild pitches. Every Yellowjacket starter reached base safely.

In Game 2, Graceland grabbed momentum early with a three-run first inning, highlighted by an RBI single from senior Charlee Peters and a two-RBI double from Vandemark — her fourth RBI of the day. The Yellowjackets added an insurance run in the second when Jayda Gay scored on a wild pitch.

Sophomore Paige Pialet started in the circle, allowing one run over 2.0 innings. Bradshaw entered in relief and recorded her second win of the day with 5.0 shutout innings, scattering five hits and striking out four without a walk.

Peters, Kaitlyn Cook, Bradshaw, and Vandemark each tallied hits for Graceland, which finished with eight total hits in the second game. The Yellowjackets were aggressive on the basepaths, recording multiple steals and taking advantage of Viking miscues to generate scoring opportunities.

"This was one of our most complete efforts of the season," said head coach Todd Verwers. "We executed well offensively, got two great outings from Sammi, and made all the routine plays defensively. I've been proud of how this group continues to compete and improve every time out."

Graceland played error-free defense across both games and held Missouri Valley to just one run on six total hits for the day. Bradshaw now owns a team-best 2.22 ERA with over 150 strikeouts on the season.

Up Next: Graceland will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday, April 9, for a conference doubleheader against Grand View University. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Grand View's on-campus field.

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