Graceland University sent their JV team to Marshalltown on Thursday, March 28 to take on the Tigers. The Tigers entered the double-header on a four game losing streak and looking to get back in the win column.
Game 1
Game one saw the Tigers open up a 3-1 lead after two innings.
The YellowJackets got on the scoreboard first in their first trip up to the plate against freshman pitcher, McKaylee Dawson. After Dawson induced a groundout from the leadoff batter, she surrendered a single and a pair of walks along with a wild pitch that allowed a runner to score. With two runners in scoring position, Dawson struck out the hitter in the five hole before the next batter popped out to Taylor Hipsley to end the threat.
It didn't take long for the Tigers to respond as Saydee Terrell led off the bottom of the first with a homerun to left field. Hipsley and Ashley Tennant followed with a pair of singles. Hipsley eventually scored on a groundout to the YellowJackets second baseman and the Tigers led 2-1 after one.
After a scoreless top of the second, the home half of the inning started in a similar fashion for the Tigers as again the leadoff batter, this time AnnaMarie Armstrong, led off with a solo shot. Nell Skeath earned a walk before being caught stealing as catcher, Kaylee Hanks, struck out in the nine spot. Terrell again hit the ball hard with a triple to center field, but the Tigers were unable to plate her as Hipsley grounded out, 6-3, to end the inning.
Graceland pulled ahead in the third inning that featured a leadoff homerun and three singles. After the Tigers were unable to respond, the visiting team took a 4-3 lead into the fourth inning.
The away team again threatened in the top of the fourth, but were unable to score after getting a pair of runners into scoring position. The Tigers used a walk to Skeath, and a Graceland error to set up the home half of the fourth. Hipsley took care of the rest with a three-run blast to left-center field. After four complete, the Tigers were back ahead 6-4.
The Tigers never looked back and extended their lead to 8-4 after six as Terrell hit another solo shot and Hipsley scored after being walked. Graceland looked to rally in the seventh, but came up just short. They made a game of it though with a three-run homer. With two outs and a runner on second, Dawson caught a YellowJacket batter looking for her ninth strikeout of the game and the Tigers won game one 8-7.
Game 2
Game two wasn't as close as the Tigers were able to send the visiting team home after just five innings. The Tigers scored in each of their half innings at the plate.
The Tigers showed some power as they hit four homeruns in the contest. Kylie Swan homered in her first two at bats, Aliyah Scott hit a two-run blast, and Terrell hit a three-run homer to dead center.
After Terrell struggled with location, five walks in one inning and two batters, Ashley Tennant replaced the sophomore in the circle and threw well enough to give the Tigers a chance to win the game although the Yellow Jackets scored multiple runs in each the second, third, and fourth innings before going scoreless as in the fifth.
The Tigers scored in each of the five innings played, highlighted by a ten run fourth inning.
Of the ten Tigers who appeared in game two, all but DJ Schmidt recorded hits and runs for the Tigers. The first baseman did however drive in a run with a sac fly to center field. For the game, the Tigers hit .419 with thirteen hits, including four homeruns.
