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April 2, 2007

Lamoni, IA- After splitting a pair of games yesterday with the Baker University Wildcats, the Graceland University baseball team seemed poised to that again on Monday afternoon at Lamoni’s North Park. Unfortunately for the Yellowjackets, Baker put together a five-run seventh inning rally in game two that cost the Jackets a chance at a Heart of America conference double-header split.

Graceland lost game one 4-1 before falling in the second game 9-8 to the visiting Wildcats.

Game One

On a beautiful day for baseball, both starting pitchers were impressive in their outings as both kept the offenses in check for most of the game. With the game scoreless entering the fourth inning, the Wildcats pushed across a single run followed by a three-run outburst in the top-half of the fifth.

GU starter Luis Perales took the loss for the Jackets despite a solid outing. Perales, a right-hander out of Caracas, Venezuela allowed four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out one. John Stewart, the Jacket’s hard-throwing lefthander out of the bullpen, pitched a perfect sixth inning, retiring the Wildcats in order. Max Escrogin, another power arm for head coach Brady McKillip, also posted a solid inning, allowing no runs while recording a strikeout.

While these three pitchers were solid for the Jackets, they may have been outdone by the solid work of Baker right-hander Joe Kaup who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Graceland third-baseman Tyler Moe would eventually break up the no-hitter bid with a sharp single to open the bottom of the seventh. Moe would come around to score the Yellowjackets only run of the game on an RBI single by catcher Matt Proctor.

Senior Jacob Landis relieved Kaup mid-way through the seventh and earned the save for Baker.

Adam Shupe reached base twice in game one for the Jackets as he was hit by a pitch and also drew a walk while pinch-hitter Henry Duke produced a single.

Game Two

The second game of the HAAC twinbill saw the Jackets offense get out on the right foot as they plated three first-inning runs to back up starting pitcher Matt Beckenhauer. After adding a run in the second and a four spot in the fourth inning, the Jacket’s bats would go silent for the remainder of the game.

Shupe delivered the big blow in the fourth inning with a two-run homerun as a part of his 2-3 performance at the plate. The top two hitters in the order for the Jackets continue to do the job as both Angel Suarez and Aaron Fuller both scored a pair of runs. Fuller went 2-3 in his effort.

Adrian Kerr, GU’s starting right-fielder and leading hitter thus far in the season continued to produce as he completed a 2-3 game at the plate including a walk and a stolen base. Kerr also contributed a timely outfield assist as he threw out a runner trying to tag from second to third.

Beckenhauer, a 5’8” sophomore and native of McCook, Nebraska delievered a solid performance atop the hill for the Jackets as he posted 5 2/3 innings, allowing only six hits and four runs while recording three strikeouts. With the Yellowjackets leading 8-1 entering the sixth, Beckenhauer allowed a three-run homer to Baker hitter Jerrod White which moved the score to 8-4. Relieved by Kyle Palmer, the Jackets still appeared to be in control as Palmer retired the last hitter to end the sixth and preserve the lead.

Things started to unravel in seventh as Palmer went back out to try and nail down the victory. After recording two outs, the Wildcats put together a rally which brought the tying run to the plate. Moving to their closer, right-hander Anthony Carlo was greeted with a game-tying three-run homerun by cleanup hitter Kyle King. After a Carlo wild pitch allowed the go-ahead run to score, the Wildcats would basically have the game wrapped up.
The Jackets threatened in their portion of the seventh inning but to no avail as the Wildcats came away with the 9-8 victory.

With the pair of losses, Graceland drops to 16-16 on the year with a 4-9 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference standings.

The Jackets have the next few days off from game action until Friday, April 7th when they travel to Liberty, Missouri to take on William Jewell before hosting William Jewell on Saturday with first pitch slated for 1:00 p.m. at Lamoni’s North Park.

March 28, 2007

Indianola, IA- Wrapping up a busy week of action on the diamond, the Graceland University baseball team came away with a double-header sweep of Simpson College on Wednesday, winning two wild contests by the scores of 5-2 and 8-7. The Yellowjackets now stand at 15-13 on the season and have won three in a row.

Game One

Perhaps riding the momentum of their game two victory the day before against HAAC foe Central Methodist University, the Jackets got things started early when senior shortstop Matt Calcagni came home to score the game’s opening run on a Matt Proctor sacrifice fly in the second inning. The Storm would fight back however with two runs in the bottom half of the inning giving them a temporary lead.

The Jackets would tie the score at 2-2 when speedy centerfielder Rudy Vallejos came in to score on a double-play groundout by Aaron Fuller. GU would take the lead for good in the fourth inning when Calcagni walked followed by an Adrian Kerr single that led to an Adam Shupe RBI groundout. Kerr would come around to score on an RBI base-hit by Proctor.

Sophomore Matt Beckenhauer and senior John Stewart combined on the six-hitter with Beckenhauer earning the victory by tossing 4 2/3 innings, allowing only three hits and two runs. Beckenhauer did allow five walks in the game while striking out two. Stewart did a nice job for head coach Brady McKillip as he posted 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Proctor finished the game with a 2-3 performance to go along with three runs batted in while GU’s slugging first-baseman Shupe also delivered a multi-hit game with two doubles in three plate appearances. Vallejos contributed two hits as well. Calcagni scored two runs on a hit and two walks.

Game Two

The nightcap of the double-header between Graceland and Simpson would get interesting to say the least. In total, the two teams combined to use 12 pitchers in the game after both teams have played a lot of baseball during the week. T

he Jackets took advantage of four Storm defensive errors which led to the Simpson pitching staff allowing eight runs, all unearned. Kyle Palmer, a 6’5” junior and Brampton, Ontario native started on the mound for Graceland and pitched one inning, giving up one run on a wild pitch.

Graceland pushed across their first run in the top-half of the second inning when Adrian Kerr reached with one out after being hit with a pitch. Kerr, always a dangerous stolen-base threat caused the Simpson pitcher, Justin Stoffa, to throw away a pickoff attempt and land Kerr standing at third. Kerr would come in to score on a Shupe RBI-single to leftfield.

Following Palmer out of the Jacket’s bullpen was right-hander Kulraj Shergill who posted a perfect one inning followed by another scoreless inning by Dan Laviolette.

GU’s big offensive inning would come via the fourth inning when the Jackets pushed across six runs. An RBI single by senior infielder Kyle Finley followed by a two-run single by Vallejos got things rolling for the Yellowjackets in the fourth. Leadoff-man Angel Suarez was next in the hitting spree as he chipped in an RBI single followed by another run-scoring base-hit by Aaron Fuller that plated both Suarez and Vallejos.

With the game seemingly under control, the Storm fought back for five runs of their own in the fifth inning to tie the score up at 7-7. GU reliever Kyle Moman received the brunt of the damage as he allowed five runs on four hits in just 1/3 of inning. The eventual game-winning run would be scored by the Jackets in the top-half of the sixth when Kerr smacked an RBI double that scored Fuller.

Max Escrogin earned the win for GU after a 1 2/3 innings performance which saw him strike out Storm player Cory Dawson with the bases-loaded to end the sixth inning.

Simpson threatened once again in the bottom of the seventh but right-hander Jason Bennett, GU’s seventh and final hurler of the day, earned the save after he struck out Kyle Meyer to end the game and preserve the win.

Graceland has the next few days off after they played six games in the past three days until they travel to Baker University on Saturday, March 31st to play yet another crucial HAAC double-header. The Jackets also play at home on Sunday, when they host Baker for another double-header at 1:00 p.m. at Lamoni’s North Park.

Lamoni, IA- Set to play six games in a matter of three days, the Graceland University baseball team came away with their first victory of the brutal stretch against Central Methodist University on Tuesday afternoon, behind the strong starting pitching of junior southpaw Tyler Wright. Wright went six innings and led the Jackets to a 7-3 game two victory after GU struggled in the opener and lost 5-1 to the visiting Eagles.

With the 1-1 split against CMU, the Jackets overall record remains at .500 for the season as they currently sit at 13-13 (3-6, HAAC).

Game One

Sophomore Venezuela native Luis Perales earned the starting nod on the mound in game one for GU and pitched effectively although he came out on the losing end. Perales tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and only four hits while recording three strikeouts. Left-handed reliever John Stewart came on in the seventh and recorded the final two outs of the ballgame.

The Eagles were able to hold the Jacket’s offense mostly in check for game one. Third-baseman Tyler Moe provided the only run of the game with a long solo homerun. The double-play combination of Matt Calcagni and Aaron Fuller, both seniors, each recorded a single along with first-baseman Adam Shupe also registering a base hit in the game.

Game Two

The second game of the double-header featured the strong outing of Tyler Wright. Making only his second start of the season due to a preseason broken hand, Wright kept the Eagles off balance all afternoon long and earned the victory. Standing at 6’3”, the Des Moines, Iowa native completed six innings of work while allowing only four hits and two walks while also striking out two batters. Closer Anthony Carlo stumbled a bit in his inning of relief but managed to close out the game and earn the save, allowing one run but also collecting a strikeout.

Wright was handed a nice early cushion on the mound as the Yellowjackets pounded out four runs in the bottom half of the first inning. After leadoff man Angel Suarez was hit by a pitch to open the inning, Suarez promptly stole second. Second-baseman Aaron Fuller followed with a single and would also register a stolen base. Tyler Moe and Matt Calcagni then followed with run-scoring singles and the Jackets were up early.

Right-fielder Adrian Kerr also delivered an RBI single followed up by yet another hit as catcher Matt Proctor continued the hit-parade as the Jackets pushed across their fourth run of the inning.

Blessed with a four-run lead, the Jackets would again strike in the sixth inning when they plated their final two runs of the game. Speedy right-fielder Adrian Kerr led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and quickly stole second to put himself in scoring position. Proctor followed with his second hit of the game putting Jacket runners on the corner. Proctor would be replaced on the base-baths by courtesy runner Rudy Vallejos and the upgrade in speed would prove to be valuable as Kerr and Vallejos would come around to score on designated-hitter Luis Perales’ RBI single.

Lamoni, IA- Playing on the first day of spring, the Graceland University baseball team was unable to hold down the big bats of Culver-Stockton College as they were handed a double-header sweep courtesy of the Wildcats by scores of 4-2 and 12-8. After splitting their previous series with Culver-Stockton earlier in the season down in Point Lookout, Missouri, the Yellowjackets were unable to utilize a solid pitching performance by sophomore right-hander Chris Hayes in game one and participated in a slugfest of sorts in the second game of the afternoon.

Game One

Hayes took to the mound in game one for GU who was participating in their sixth game in three days after playing in Oklahoma earlier in the week, coming away with two victories over the likes of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and splitting a pair with Rogers State University on Tuesday. Hayes looked sharp early a top the hill for GU as he mowed through the Wildcat order, recording a number of outs on strikeouts.

Junior Henry Duke paced the Yellowjacket in both games but started the opener with a 2 for 2 performance at the plate while also drawing a walk. Right-fielder Adrian Kerr added a double in the loss while table-setters Angel Suarez and Aaron Fuller both posted singles.

Game Two

With the Jackets having only played four games at Lamoni’s North Park during the early parts of the 2007 season, fans have been privileged to see many of the GU hitters post impressive homerun shots. Wednesday against Culver-Stockton would prove to be no different; however, despite the Jacket’s impressive longball totals, the Wildcats would come out on the winning edge when it came to overall runs.

Duke continued to swing a hot bat as he went 3 for 4 in game two while registering two homeruns and a single. With head coach Brady McKillip utilizing Duke in the designated hitters role, the Oakville, Ontario native continues to produce at the plate. Also registering homeruns in the game were senior shortstop Matt Calcagni who tallied a 2 for 3 performance with a double and walk in addition to his round-tripper. Speedy right-fielder Adrian Kerr also ripped a deep ball as he went 2 for 4 in second contest. Catcher Matt Proctor, a senior and a veteran leader for this GU squad, connected on a two-run shot as well as playing terrific defense behind the dish. Third-baseman Tyler Moe also added a homerun in the losing effort.

Tyler Wright, a 6’3” junior from Des Moines, Iowa earned his first start of the season in game two. Sidelined by a broken hand suffered during the preseason, the GU southpaw had a rough go of it in his 2007 debut. Lasting only 2 2/3 innings, Wright would be relieved by right-hander Jason Bennett and lefty John Stewart.

With their record now standing at 12-11 and 2-4 in the Heart of America Conference standings, the Yellowjackets now can prepare for the weekends schedule which has them traveling to Marshall, Missouri where they will take on Missouri Valley College in another important HAAC tilt. First pitch of the double-header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Game One Box Score         Game Two Box Score

Lamoni, IA- With the chance to finally get outside on their home field and a strong wind pushing fly-balls out of the park all afternoon, the Graceland University baseball team came away with a two-game split against the Vikings of Grand View College on Tuesday afternoon at Lamoni’s North Park. With a combined total of 11 homeruns hit on the day between the two teams, Grand View was able to take the first game 20-11 before the Jackets stormed back to take game two 12-5.

Graceland’s season record now moves to 8-7 on the season as they prepare to take on HAAC opponent Evangel this Saturday, March 17th in Springfield, Missouri. First pitch of the double-header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Grand View College’s record stands at 4-4 with their split against Graceland.

Game One

With the sun shining brightly and a good crowd on hand, it seemed to be a perfect day for baseball; more specifically, a perfect day for hitters. The Yellowjackets and Vikings combined for nine homeruns in the opening game with two Vikings tallying two homeruns apiece. After a scoreless first inning, the offensive fireworks began as the Vikings erupted for 11 runs off of Graceland starter Kyle Palmer. Battling both the stiff wind and a few Yellowjacket defensive miscues, Palmer was roughed up for 11 runs in the second inning on nine Viking hits. Because of the error, Palmer was only charged with one earned run in his two innings of work.

GU sophomore right-hander Kalraj Shergill came on to pitch next for the Jackets giving up only two hits but three earned runs in his two innings on the hill. Senior Jason Bennett finished out the game for Graceland by throwing three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out one. Despite a shaky outing, Grand View starter Jordan Nemitz earned the win for the Vikings, allowing nine eared runs in 4 1/3 innings of work.

The heart of the Yellowjacket order continued to produce as senior shortstop Matt Calcagni led the offense for GU as he blasted a third inning grand-slam that drew the Jackets closer. Calcagni also drew two walks in the contest while scoring two runs and driving in five. Second baseman Aaron Fuller chipped in with two hits while sophomore Adam Shupe added his first homerun of the spring with a three-run shot in the fifth. Adrian Kerr, GU’s lightening quick right-fielder, scored two runs while also collecting two hits in the opener while centerfielder Rudy Vallejos also recorded multiple hits.

GVC cenerfielder Tristan O’Neal collected six RBI’s including two homeruns while teammate Jason Ogden matched his performance by also driving in six runs and producing two round-trippers.

Game Two

While game two featured much of the offensive prowess as the opener, this game featured the Jackets on the winning end. Third baseman Tyler Moe, designated hitter Adam Shupe, and catcher Matt Proctor all contributed two hits apiece while centerfield Rudy Vallejos continued his good work from the opening game by adding three more hits including a triple while scoring two and driving in two runs.

Matt Beckenhauer earned his first win of the season (1-2) for the Yellowjackets by scattering 10 hits and giving up four earned runs, walking four and striking out three. Fellow sophomore Anthony Carlo closed out the contest for GU by posting 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and struck out one.

Ogden of Grand View College connected on his third homerun of the afternoon in game two by connecting on a two-run blast in the second inning. Third-baseman Eric Stein and catcher Brian Perry each registered two hits in the loss.

St. Charles, MO- After losing the opener on a walk-off hit and struggling to find any offensive production in game two, the Graceland University baseball team needed an inning like this. Losing a heart-breaking game one and trailing 3-0 entering the top of the sixth in game two, the Jackets bats suddenly came alive and exploded for 11 runs en route to an easy 11-3 victory and thus earning a split against #20 ranked Lindenwood University on Saturday afternoon at the Lou Brock Sports Complex.

Game One

Graceland starter Chris Hayes didn’t have his best stuff, but still turned in a gutsy performance for the Jackets in game one. Hayes went 6 1/3 innings allowing six runs, all earned, while giving up 13 hits by the Lions. Hayes ended up getting the loss (3-1) when Lindenwood right-fielder Ryan Kopp scored on a walk-off single by pinch-hitter Travis Hull in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Lindenwood jumped up early as they scored two runs each in the first two frames. However, Hayes would settle down and only allow one more run the next four innings. Three Lion hurlers combined on the win, with David Fields earning the victory, his first on the season.

The GU offense collected seven hits in game one with shortstop Matt Calcagni platting two runs on a double while also drawing a walk.

Game Two

With the Yellowjacket offense still sputtering, GU starting pitcher Luis Perales was forced to try and keep the Lions heavy hitting attack at bay. Trailing 3-0 after five innings of play and Lions starter John Sternberg appearing to be cruising, the Jacket bats awoke. Lindenwood used three different pitchers in the inning to try and slow down the GU offense but nothing seemed to work. After earning the victory in game one earlier in the afternoon, Lion’s reliever David Fields second appearance would prove to be much less enjoyable for the senior right-hander. Fields was tagged for eight runs, all earned, on seven hits in only one-third of an inning.

Leading the way offensively in the break-out sixth inning for GU was top-half of the Yellowjacket order. Angel Suarez, Aaron Fuller,, and Calcagni all collected two hits apiece while third-baseman Tyler Moe registered three hits including a double and three RBI’s.

Perales, a 5’10” sophomore out of Caracas, Venezuela, went the distance for GU and earned the victory. Perales (2-0) walked only one while striking out three and giving up only four hits on the afternoon.

Graceland improves their overall record to 7-6 on the young season while #20 Lindenwood’s mark moves to 12-7 and 3-1 in the HAAC. The Yellowjackets hope to open up their home season tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 as they play host to Buena Vista College at North Park in Lamoni.

Rudy Vallejos, a senior centerfielder from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, played summer ball with the IBL London Majors in Ontario. Vallejos enjoyed an outstanding first season with the IBL batting .304 with two homeruns and forty-one RBI’s. In addition Rudy hit five doubles, scored twenty-eight runs and was fourth in the league with nineteen stolen bases, all within a 30 game span. Vallejos collected 21 votes when it came time and earned the IBL Rookie of the Year/Brian Kerr Memorial Trophy Award. Brady McKillip Head Coach for the Yellowjackets was very proud, “Rudy possesses 6.6 speed and a great arm from the outfield giving the Jackets one of the fastest outfields in the conference. We are pleased that Rudy had such a great summer and look forward to his contributions to the team his senior year.” Rudy is majoring in physical education while attending Graceland.