Graceland Splits With William Woods, Rallies for Extra-Inning Victory in Game Two
LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland University softball team split a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader with William Woods (Mo.), falling 3-0 in game one before responding with a 16-15 extra-inning victory in game two. With the split, Graceland moves to 7-27 overall and 2-10 in conference play, while William Woods stands at 14-17 overall and 8-8 in conference.
In game one, Graceland was limited offensively, falling 3-0 despite recording four hits. William Woods capitalized on early run production and situational execution, scoring in the first, fourth and fifth innings.
Makenzie Leake led the Yellowjackets at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, while Hallie Chamberlin and Gracie Dickson each added a hit. Graceland generated baserunners but was unable to convert, leaving five runners on base and going scoreless across seven innings.
In the circle, Kaylee Henry worked six innings, allowing six hits and three runs, while McKenna Kelley added a scoreless inning in relief. Defensively, Graceland recorded 10 assists and 21 putouts, but could not overcome limited offensive production.
Game two shifted momentum, as Graceland responded with a 16-15 win in 10 innings, overcoming multiple deficits in a high-scoring contest.
The Yellowjackets opened with early run production, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-RBI single from Makenzie Leake. William Woods answered with consistent extra-base production, including multiple home runs, building an 11-3 lead through six innings, highlighted by a grand slam in the sixth.
Graceland responded with a decisive offensive surge in the bottom of the sixth, scoring seven runs on seven hits, utilizing gap-to-gap hitting and situational execution. Leake delivered a three-RBI double, while Kady Vandemark followed with an RBI double to continue the inning. The Yellowjackets added additional runs on a defensive miscue and a bases-loaded walk, trimming the deficit to one run.
In the seventh, Leake tied the game at 11-11 with a solo home run, forcing extra innings.
William Woods regained momentum in the top of the 10th with a four-run inning, including a grand slam, extending the lead to 15-11. Graceland answered immediately in the bottom half with continued offensive execution.
Gracyn Beckman opened the inning with a two-run home run, followed by a two-RBI double from Brooklynn Glasgow to tie the game. With runners in scoring position, McKenna Kelley delivered a walk-off RBI single, completing the comeback and securing the 16-15 victory.
Graceland totaled 23 hits in game two, led by Kelley, who went 5-for-6 with three RBIs, while Leake added three hits and six RBIs, driving in key runs throughout the game. Sydney Bears recorded three hits and two runs scored, while Glasgow contributed two hits and three RBIs.
In the circle, Leake and Kelley combined for 10 innings, with Kelley earning the win in relief. Despite allowing 15 runs, the Yellowjackets limited additional damage in key late-game situations to allow for the comeback opportunity.
Interim head coach Brady McKillip emphasized the team's resilience and approach at the plate.
"Our approach didn't change, even when we were down multiple runs late," McKillip said. "We stayed disciplined in our at-bats, used the middle of the field, and executed in high-leverage situations. That's the type of response we expect from our lineup."
Graceland returns to action on Tuesday, April 7 with a home doubleheader against Missouri Baptist, scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. CDT at Cardinal Field in Liberty, Missouri, due to weather and field conditions in Lamoni.
For more information on Graceland softball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.