Graceland Drops Heart-Breaker as Midland Walks It Off in Ninth

Fremont, Neb. – The Graceland University baseball team rallied late but fell short in a 7-6 loss to Midland University on Tuesday at Moller Field. The Yellowjackets clawed back from a five-run deficit in the seventh inning, but a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth sealed the victory for the Warriors.

With the loss, Graceland moves to 10-12 overall and remains 4-4 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play. Midland improved to 3-13 on the season.

Game Recap

Midland jumped ahead early, plating two runs in the third inning off a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. The Warriors added to their lead in the fourth on a wild pitch and extended the advantage to 5-0 in the fifth after a two-run home run by J. Hardamon.

Graceland was held scoreless until the seventh, when the offense erupted for five runs, capitalizing on defensive miscues and clutch hitting. The Jackets loaded the bases with two outs, and after a hit-by-pitch plated their first run, C. Chiprez delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 5-5.

Midland regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single, but Graceland responded again in the ninth. Chiprez, who reached on a walk, stole two bases before C. Connell lined an RBI single up the middle to even the score at 6-6.

However, the Warriors had the final say. With two outs in the ninth, a single down the right-field line drove in the game-winning run.

Inside the Box Score

• C. Chiprez paced the offense, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk, and two stolen bases.
• C. Connell recorded two hits and an RBI, including the game-tying single in the ninth.
• G. Perez and J. Gilbert each added RBIs in the seventh-inning rally.
• On the mound, M. Krogsgaar started and went three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out four.
• D. Batista (L, 2-2) suffered the loss in relief, surrendering one run in the ninth.

Despite the loss, Graceland's bullpen largely kept the team in the game, with S. Victorian, L. Frost, K. Cardejon, and T. Telles combining for five innings of three-run baseball.

Coach Brad Payne's Comments

After the game, head coach Brad Payne emphasized the need for a stronger start:

"We've got to be more prepared and more locked in moving forward. Our pitching staff is doing its job. Defensively and offensively, we've got to be better from the first pitch. As a coach, that's my job. We will be better moving forward. We've got a big conference series at home this weekend against Benedictine, and we will be prepared."

Up Next

Graceland returns home for a pivotal four-game conference series against Benedictine College (Atchison, Kan.). The Yellowjackets will host doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday in Lamoni, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days.

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