Payne Era Kicks Off as Yellowjackets Battle Columbia in First Series of 2025
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Graceland University baseball team wrapped up its opening weekend of the 2025 season with a pair of losses to Columbia College on Sunday, falling 5-2 in Game 3 and 10-0 in Game 4. The Yellowjackets, playing their first series under new head coach Brad Payne following the departure of longtime head coach Brady McKillip to a full-time athletic director role, finished the weekend 1-3 overall, while Columbia moved to 3-1.
Game 3: Columbia 5, Graceland 2
Graceland got off to a strong start, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning behind key at-bats from Zach Tanabe and Ramsel Jerez. Tanabe doubled and advanced to third before scoring on an RBI groundout by Elio Narvaez. Jerez followed with an RBI single, driving in Tanabe.
Columbia responded with a run in the bottom of the first, then tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly. The Cougars took advantage of baserunning in the fifth, executing two steals of home in a three-run inning. A run-scoring double from J. Matousek capped off the scoring.
Gabriel Perez (0-1) took the loss, working 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, striking out two. Columbia's K. Dohogne (1-0) earned the win with a complete-game performance, allowing 10 hits but limiting the Yellowjackets to just two runs while striking out four.
Jerez led Graceland offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Tanabe added two hits and a run scored. The Yellowjackets left seven men on base in the game.
Game 4: Columbia 10, Graceland 0
Columbia dominated the series finale behind a seven-run outburst in the first three innings, effectively putting the game out of reach early.
The Cougars jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first after a three-run home run from T. Renn. In the third, Z. Fruend tripled in three runs, and a sacrifice fly made it 7-0 Columbia.
Graceland's offense was held in check by Columbia starter N. Willingha (1-0), who threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just six hits over seven innings while striking out four.
The Yellowjackets had limited opportunities, stranding eight baserunners. Z. Tanabe led the team at the plate, going 2-for-3.
Tanabe (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven runs on five hits in three innings. J. Abernathe and L. Frost provided relief, but Columbia added three more runs in the fourth, capped by a three-run home run from B. McGinnis.
Head coach Brad Payne reflected on the weekend series and emphasized the areas of improvement for his squad.
"Columbia is a very good baseball team. They're well-coached, prepared, and have a history of success. They're one of the premier NAIA programs in the Midwest. A team like that capitalizes on your mistakes, and that's exactly what they did.
"As a coach, the first few games finally give you a compass for where you're at and where you need to go. We know where we need to get better. We'll focus on it this week at practice and begin preparation for Valley City State in Kansas City next weekend."
Up Next
Graceland will take on Valley City State in a four-game series next weekend. The first doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, with games at noon and 2:30 p.m. in Columbia. The series will conclude Sunday with games at noon and 2:30 p.m. at the Homefield Complex in Kansas City, Kan.
For more information on Graceland baseball and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.