Graceland Splits Day at Branson Grand Slam Classic
Branson, Mo. – The Graceland University softball team secured a split on Friday at the Branson Grand Slam Classic, falling to Tabor College 10-1 in the opener before bouncing back with a 9-1 victory over Mission University (Mo.) in game two. The Yellowjackets move to 7-14 on the season, while Tabor improved to 8-5 and Mission remains winless at 0-12.
Game One: Tabor 10, Graceland 1 (6 Innings)
The Yellowjackets started strong in the first inning, with Jayda Gay doubling home Kaitlyn Cook to give Graceland an early 1-0 lead. However, Tabor responded with six runs in the fourth inning, seizing control of the game and capitalizing on defensive errors.
Graceland's offense struggled against Tabor's L. Rios (2-1), who tossed a complete-game four-hitter, striking out seven over six innings.
Pitching proved to be a challenge for Graceland. Paige Pialet (0-6) took the loss, allowing seven runs on 11 hits in 3.2 innings. Alyssa Henry worked 1.1 scoreless innings in relief before Cassidy Johnson surrendered three runs in the sixth.
Offensively, the Yellowjackets managed just four hits, with Gay, Cierra Peters, Henry, and Ashley Farrell each contributing one.
Game Two: Graceland 9, Mission 1 (6 Innings)
Graceland rebounded in the second game behind a dominant performance from Sierra Bradshaw, who threw a complete-game no-hitter, allowing just one unearned run while striking out 11.
The Yellowjackets provided early run support, plating a run in the first before adding two in the second and four in the third. Gay and Bradshaw led the offensive effort, each driving in multiple runs. Bradshaw finished 3-for-4 with 5 RBIs, including a two-run double in the sixth to cap off the run-rule victory.
Graceland tallied 12 hits, with Gay (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, 3 runs), Paige Pialet (3-for-4, 2 runs), and Bradshaw (3-for-4, 5 RBIs) leading the way.
Bradshaw (4-5) was nearly untouchable, striking out 11 of the 24 batters she faced while walking only two.
"We saw two very different versions of our team today. Against Tabor, we didn't play clean softball and let one bad inning get away from us. But I was proud of the way we responded against Mission—Sierra [Bradshaw] was phenomenal, and we executed offensively the way we needed to."
– Head Coach Todd Verwers
Up Next
Graceland concludes play at the Branson Grand Slam Classic with a 9 a.m. matchup against Doane University, followed by the tournament finale against Friends University at 11 a.m.
For more information on Graceland softball and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.