Graceland Softball Falls Twice on Final Day of Top Gun Invite

SHAWNEE, Kan. – The Graceland University Yellowjackets struggled to find offensive momentum Sunday, dropping both games of their final day at the Top Gun Invite. The Yellowjackets fell in a pitchers' duel to Concordia (Neb.), 2-0, before Kansas Wesleyan posted an 11-0 victory in five innings in the second game. With the losses, Graceland moves to 6-8 overall, while Concordia improves to 7-6, and Kansas Wesleyan advances to 10-5.

Game 1: Concordia (Neb.) 2, Graceland 0

In a game dominated by strong pitching performances, Concordia broke through in the top of the seventh to take a late lead and secure the victory.

Graceland's S. Bradshaw was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just three hits and one earned run. Bradshaw struck out 15 batters and did not allow a walk, keeping the Bulldogs off the board for six innings. However, Concordia capitalized in the final frame with an RBI single from D. Voshell, followed by an insurance run on a hit by G. Maguire.

Offensively, Graceland managed just one hit – a single from Bradshaw – against Concordia's M. Eurich, who threw a complete-game shutout, striking out 11 while issuing just two walks.

Game 2: Kansas Wesleyan 11, Graceland 0 (5 Innings)

The Yellowjackets struggled to contain a Kansas Wesleyan offense that scored in every inning, including a seven-run third that put the game out of reach.

Graceland's pitching duo of P. Pialet and K. Vandemark combined to allow 11 runs (seven earned) over four innings. Pialet started the game, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) on eight hits across 2.2 innings. Vandemark worked the final 1.1 innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits.

The Yellowjackets' bats were limited to just two hits – one each from Pialet and C. Peters – as Kansas Wesleyan's C. Collier threw a five-inning shutout, striking out nine and allowing just one walk.

Kansas Wesleyan's J. Soule led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance, including three RBIs. T. Kolterman added a three-run triple in the third, helping the Coyotes pull away early.

Coach's Comments

Following the games, head coach Todd Verwers highlighted the positives from the weekend despite the tough results.

"We ran into two very good pitching performances today, but our team competed," Verwers said. "Bradshaw was phenomenal in the circle, and we had some good at-bats late in both games. We need to do a better job of executing offensively, but we'll take the lessons from this weekend and be ready to bounce back."

Up Next

Graceland wraps up the Top Gun Invite on Monday, March 3, with games against Concordia (Neb.) at 10 a.m. and Kansas Wesleyan at 12:30 p.m.

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