Softball Press Releases
Yellowjackets Tally Split With Central Methodist
April 2, 2007
Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score
Lamoni, IA- Playing a day later than expected due to heavy rain fall and a drenched field, the Graceland University and Central Methodist University softball teams got together Monday afternoon for a double-dose of softball action at Lamoni’s North Park. After opening with a 4-0 victory over the visiting Lady Eagles, the Jackets were shutout themselves in the nightcap as CMU took game two by a score of 7-0.
After a very successful spring break trip to Tucson, Arizona which saw the Blue and Gold go 4-2 on the trip, the Jacket’s record after Monday now stands at 19-10 and 6-4 within HAAC play.
Game One
The opener featured a dominating performance by Graceland’s junior right-hander Carrie Wilson who fired a three-hit shutout while also striking out an impressive 10 Eagle batters. Wilson, a native of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, didn’t allow a walk in her seven innings of work.
Game Two
Sarah Lippold earned the starting spot in the circle for game two for the Jackets but struggled to find her rhythm. A solid pitching performer while in Arizona, Lippold would work four innings before giving way to reliever Jessica Brady. Lippold allowed five runs (four earned) while striking out four and walking four. Brady allowed the final two runs of the game in her three innings while allowing only three hits.
The Jacket’s offense produced only four hits against CMU starter McCall Kenney with no player recording a multi-hit game. Kenney worked around six walks but also struck out six in her seven inning shutout. Lindsay Campbell, Lynette Fine, Chantelle Daigle, and Clarkson all produced singles.
The Yellowjackets will host Baker University on Wednesday, April 4th in another important HAAC double-header. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Lamoni’s North Park.
Hot-Hitting Jackets Return Home After Final Split in Arizona
March 29, 2007
Tucson, AR- Playing their final two games in the desert of Arizona, the Graceland University softball team split their final two games as they were defeated in extra innings by St. Olaf College in game one followed up by a 5-4 win in their spring break trip finale against Eastern Oregon University. The Yellowjackets went 6-2 on the trip and return home to Iowa with an overall record of 18-9.
Game One (Versus St. Olaf College)
The opening game of the afternoon featured an extra innings affair that saw the Jackets fall to the Oles by a 10-9 score in eight innings of play. Karie Hanson earned the start for GU, going five innings while allowing six runs on nine hits until being relieved by freshman Jessica Brady. Brady would get the unfortunate loss in the game as she tallied three innings, giving up four runs and five hits.
Plating nine runs on 20 hits, the Jackets continue to swing the bats well. Led by first-baseman Jennifer Soukeroff who went 4-5 including a double and triple, GU fell just short in the contest. Junior infielder Lindsay Campbell also produced a solid game at the plate by going 3-5 with Maria Barwig and Lynette Fine also registering three hits each. Jodie Clarkson, Shayna Shoonover, and Tanya Oystick each produced multi-hit games in the loss.
Game Two (Versus Eastern Oregon University) The second game of the twinbill featured a little less offense and more efficient starting pitching for both squads. Junior Sarah Lippold got the nod in the circle for the Yellowjackets and responded with a solid outing, going five innings while scattering eight hits and allowing four runs in the no decision. Carrie Wilson, a junior hurler from Saskatchewan, notched the win as she finished up the game, going two innings of scoreless relief while adding two strikeouts.
Haley Montgomery, a versatile utility player for head coach Don Stopa, put together a solid performance by going 2-4 with a double and a RBI. Jodie Clarkson also added another multi-hit game as she went 2-4 including a double. Graceland catcher Lynette Fine continued to give the Jackets a potent bat in the middle of the order as she collected a hit in four trips to the plate including two runs batted in. Oystrick also connected on a two-run double in the contest.
GU Softball Stays Sharp as They Sweep St. Olaf College in Tucson
March 28, 2007
Tucson, AR- Taking part in day two of the Tucson Invitational in Tucson, Arizona, the Graceland University softball team continued their fine play with a pair of wins against St. Olaf College of Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon, turning back the Oles by the scores of 6-3 and 9-6.
Now 3-1 during their spring break competition, the Yellowjackets now stand at 17-8 on the season with two games remaining in Arizona before heading back to Iowa for an important Heart of America Conference series with Central Methodist on Sunday, April 1st.
Game One The opening game for the Jackets featured the strong pitching performance of sophomore Sarah Lippold as she went the distance and picked up the victory. Lippold allowed only four hits and three runs with only one run being earned.
Jennifer Soukeroff continued to lead GU on offense as she gives the Yellowjackets a dependable and productive bat in the middle of the order. Soukeroff went 2-4 in game one with a double while Lynette Fine and Chantelle Daigle posted identical numbers of 2-4 plate performances with each contributing a double. Unionville Missouri native Hayley Montgomery also put together a solid game one as she went 3-3 with a double.
Game Two
Earning her first start of the trip, freshman Jessica Brady took her turn in the circle for game two. After four innings of work, Brady was relieved by junior Carrie Wilson and would receive the no-decision. Wilson allowed only two hits in her three innings and picked up the win for GU as the Jackets won 9-6.
Scoring nine runs and pounding out 19 hits in the game, Graceland had plenty of base-runners and opportunities to put runs on the scoreboard. Soukeroff continued to put up impressive offensive numbers as she added three more hits in game two in four at-bats. Maria Barwig, head coach Don Stopa’s versatile catcher/third-baseman delivered a 4-4 performance while Fine chipped in a solid 3-4 game with a double. Jodie Clarkson also added a pair of hits in four at-bats as the Jackets cruised to their double-header sweep of St. Olaf.
Graceland wraps up their spring break slate when they open up tomorrow’s action at 1:00 p.m. against St. Olaf followed by another outing versus Eastern Oregon University at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Lady Jackets Fall Just Short of Two Game Sweep in Arizona
March 27, 2007
Tucson, AR- Participating in the Tucson Invitational on Tuesday afternoon, the Graceland University softball team nearly pulled out a pair of games but fell in their opener 7-6 to Eastern Oregon University before rebounding and winning the nightcap with an 11-5 victory over EOU. The Yellowjackets will once again suit up tomorrow as they take to the field for another double-header against St. Olaf College of Minnesota.
Game OneWith the game seemingly in hand, the Yellowjackets jumped on top 6-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning when Eastern Oregon manufactured a few base-runners before ending the game in dramatic fashion on a walk-off grand-slam to take the opening game 7-6.
Karie Hanson started on the mound for the Jackets, limiting EOU to just three runs. After getting into trouble, Hanson was relieved by freshman Jessica Brady who gave up the game-winning hit and earning the tough loss. Hanson struck out six batters in her effort and was credited with a no-decision.
Tanya Oystrick proved she doesn’t just swing a solid bat in the Midwest as she continued her torrid hitting in the desert of Arizona. Oystrick, a junior and a native of British Columbia, went 3-3 in game one including scoring two runs. Right-fielder Jodie Clarkson also continued to swing the bat well as she had two doubles as a part of her 2-3 performance at the plate and also scored twice.
Game Two
After such a tough ending to the first game, one might think the Jackets would be easily beaten in the second game of the twinbill. Not this Jacket’s team, who has already surpassed last season’s win total as they marched onward to an impressive 11-5 victory in game two.
Carrie Wilson was solid on the mound for head coach Don Stopa, as she delivered a complete-game victory by giving up just two earned runs and struck out five. Jennifer Soukeroff, coming off a big week with the bat and the glove, continued to lead the Jacket’s attack as she went 3-4 with a pair of doubles. Jodie Clarkson added to her game one performance by putting together a 1-4 game two while scoring three runs.
Shayna Schoonover, one of GU’s talented freshmen, put together her most impressive offensive performance of her young collegiate career by going 3-4 including a single, double, and her first collegiate homerun. A native of nearby Unionville, Missouri, Schoonover continues to produce quality at-bats for the Yellowjackets.
The Jackets return to action tomorrow as they continue their play in the Tucson Invitational by taking on St. Olaf College at 1:00 p.m. Stay tuned to the GU athletics website for all the scores and recaps of Graceland softball while they spend their “Spring Break” in sunny Tucson, Arizona.
Graceland Drops Final Two Games at Avila Tournament
March 25th, 2007
Box Score Game One Box Score Game Two
Blue Springs, MO- After a torrid start to tournament play on Saturday, the Graceland University softball team struggled to regain that consistency and fell in their final two games of competition on Sunday. After going 3-0 on the first day of action, the Yellowjackets were turned back by scores of 9-1 and 7-5 to Iowa Wesleyan College and Peru State College respectively. GU now stands at 14-7 on the season.
Game One (Versus Iowa Wesleyan College) 
GU right-hander Karie Hanson, who earned the victory in game one of the tournament versus the College of St. Mary, wasn’t as successful her second start as Iowa Wesleyan took care of the Jackets by a final score of 9-1. Hanson allowed 11 hits and eight runs in the ball game in her 4 1/3 innings of work. Reliever Jessica Brady came on for Hanson in the fifth but IWC was able to push across the deciding run, forcing the eight-run rule.
The Jackets only run of the game came on a one-out solo homerun in the top-half of the fifth inning by catcher Lynette Fine.
Game Two (Versus Peru State College)
After having played Peru State earlier in the week, splitting a pair of games at Lamoni’s North Park, the Yellowjackets had a good idea what to expect from a talented PSC squad.
Peru State struck first with a single run in their half of the first inning and then both pitchers would hold the offenses quiet for much of the game. GU starter Carrie Wilson worked in and out of trouble throughout the game, but kept the PSC team from advancing their lead until the bottom of the fourth when the Bobcats struck for three runs, followed by three more in the fifth inning.
With the Bobcat offensive attack taking advantage of some Graceland defensive miscues, the Yellowjacket offense was forced to come to life. Momentarily tying up the game after putting up a pair of runs in the fourth and three in the fifth, the Jackets quickly found themselves back in the game until the Bobcats answered in their half of the fifth and took the lead for good.
The Jackets were led on offense by Lynette Fine and Tanya Oystrick who delivered RBI hits in the fourth inning to get the Jackets on the scoreboard. Maria Barwig delivered a two-run single in the fifth inning, scoring Carlene Nelson, Jodie Clarkson, and Jennifer Soukeroff who came home to score on error by the centerfielder.
Wilson was plagued by a shaky defense behind her as the Jackets committed a season-high six errors in the game. Wilson tallied a pitching line of: seven runs (one earned) on ten hits while walking five.
Jackets Pick Up Three Wins After Day One of Avila Tournament
March 24th, 2007
Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score Game Three Box Score
Blue Springs, MO- As the Yellowjackets look forward to their much-anticipated trip to Tucson, Arizona next week for a six game slate of action in the Tucson Invitational, they had other business to attend to first. After the first day of the Avila Tournament, the Graceland University softball team came away with three victories against the likes of three quality opponents.
Game One (Versus College of St. Mary)
The Jackets wasted no time in putting runs on the board as they exploded for 11 runs in their opening game versus the College of St. Mary (Nebraska). In somewhat of a slugfest, the Yellowjackets outlasted St. Mary and took the victory, 11-7.
Collecting 18 hits in the ballgame, the Yellowjackets put up two runs in the second inning followed by three runs in the third inning and two more runs in the fourth.
Maria Barwig got the scoring started with a leadoff double to open the second inning. After a flyout, GU shortstop Byrn DeGraw followed up with a sharp single and then advanced to second on a wild-pitch. Right-fielder Jodie Clarkson would then step to the plate and drill a two-run single that scored both Barwig and Degraw.
Carlene Nelson, GU’s talented sophomore centerfielder, got things going in the right direction in the third inning as she led off with a walk, followed by a Jennifer Soukeroff single. After Barwig also earned a free-pass, the bases were loaded with Yellowjackets. After a fielder’s choice forced Nelson out at the plate, DeGraw delivered with a two-run single, scoring both Soukeroff and Barwig.
DeGraw would add another single in the fourth inning that plated Soukeroff and Barwig to push her RBI total in the game to four. Graceland would tack on three more runs in the sixth and a single run in the seventh on a Soukeroff solo homer to expand their lead.
Sophomore Karie Hanson and freshman Jessica Brady combined on the win to lead the Jackets from within the pitching circle. Hanson started, throwing three innings and allowing six hits and four runs. Brady would finish out the contest for head coach Don Stopa as she tallied the final four innings, allowing six hits and three runs while collecting three strikeouts.
Game Two (Versus Stephens College)
After a few previously rough outings, GU hurler Sarah Lippold rebounded for an impressive performance in the second game of the Avila Tournament, as the Jackets went on to win 7-1. Lippold, a sophomore out of Oceola, Iowa, went the distance for GU, allowing only four hits and one run (0 earned) while striking out five.
Offensively, the Jackets were led by starting leftfielder Haley Montgomery who registered a 3 for 4 performance out of the second slot in the lineup. Montgomery, a sophomore and Unionville, Missouri native, came through with the go-ahead hit in the fifth inning with the game all knotted up at 1 run apiece. After a Tanya Oystrick double and Lindsay Campbell single, Montgomery followed with a two-run double. Shayna Schoonover also connected on a run-scoring single later in the inning to pad the Jackets lead.
The Jackets added three insurance runs in their half of the seventh inning highlighted by an RBI-double by Lynette Fine and a two-run single by Schoonover.
Game Three (Versus University of Illinois-Springfield)
In their third and final contest of the day, Graceland once again didn’t struggle with the bats as they plated 14 runs and defeated the University of Illinois-Springfield squad 14-2.
Perhaps feeling some fatigue from the previous two games, it took five innings before the Jacket’s bats awoke. Trailing 2-1 entering the top-half of the sixth, the Blue and Gold erupted for six runs in the sixth inning followed by seven more runs in the final frame.
Every Yellowjacket starter collected at least one hit in the game with three players having at least three hits. Jennifer Soukeroff, Graceland’s slugging first-baseman, provided the biggest production as she put together a 4 for 5 performance at the plate and added five RBI’s and scored two runs. Soukeroff collected two triples in the game. GU catcher Lynette Fine produced three hits including a triple of her own while Jodie Clarkson also collected three hits in the game. Carlene Nelson scored three runs as the Jackets belted out 19 hits in the contest.
Carrie Wilson went back to the rubber for GU in their third game of the day and pitched all seven innings, limiting the opposition to only three hits and two earned runs while striking out an impressive eight batters.
After day one of the tournament, the Jackets improve to 14-5 for the 2007 season.
Jackets Rebound for Exciting Game Two Victory
March 22nd, 2007
Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score
Peru, NE- After splitting a pair of games with Missouri Valley College on Wednesday, the Graceland University softball team hit the road a day later and traveled to face off against non-conference opponent Peru State College. After struggling in the opener en route to a 9-1 defeat to the hands of the home-standing Bobcats, GU quickly followed that up with an 8-7 victory in the second game.
Graceland now stands at 11-5 on the season while Peru State College, who was receiving NAIA top-25 votes earlier in the season, now has a record of 12-8.
Game One
Karie Hanson earned the starting nod in game one for head coach Don Stopa and the Yellowjackets, one day after earning a key HAAC victory over Missouri Valley on Wednesday afternoon at Lamoni’s North Park. Hanson would be over-matched in this contest as she was touched for eight runs (seven earned) while walking four in four innings of work. Sarah Lippold would also enter in relief but was unable to hold the Bobcats down long enough to continue the game as PSC went up by eight runs and securing the five inning victory.
Lindsay Campbell continued her torrid stretch of late as she has consistently been providing the Jackets a spark from the leadoff spot. Campbell added two more hits to her season in game one as the Yellowjackets totaled only five for the game. Lynette Fine, one side of GU’s talented catching duo along with Maria Barwig, connected on her second homerun of the spring which accounted for the Blue and Gold’s only run of the game.
Peru State’s starting pitcher Tabitha Foster put up solid numbers both from the circle and at the plate. Foster allowed only four hits in four innings of work while also registering four strikeouts. Foster also led PSC on the offensive side as she blasted two homeruns in the game en route to a 3 for 3 performance in the Bobcat’s cleanup spot in the order.
Game Two
After both teams went scoreless in the opening inning of action, Graceland was able to collect the first run in the top-half of the second when Lynette Fine earned a leadoff walk and was later driven in by an RBI single by GU right-fielder Jodie Clarkson. With GU freshman starter Jessica Brady appearing to be cruising, the Jackets looked to take advantage offensively. The Jackets came through with a four-run third inning that put them comfortably in the lead. Sophomore Haley Montgomery got things started with a leadoff double, quickly followed by a run-scoring single by Jennifer Soukeroff, GU’s powerful first-baseman. After Maria Barwig was retired on a groundball out to the pitcher, it looked as if the worst might be over for the Bobcats. However, after a Fine single putting runners on the corners, Yellowjacket shortstop Bryn DeGraw stepped into the box. Degraw followed with a 3-run homerun that gave the Jackets a 5-0 lead.
The Bobcats would not go away easy as they continuously put runners on as Brady, who usually pitches in relief for the Yellowjackets, worked in and out of trouble. Peru State would tack on two runs in the fifth inning followed by a single run in the sixth. GU would have a solid sixth inning of their own as they collected three more runs highlighted by a solo homerun by Tanya Oystrick and a two-run blast by centerfielder Carlene Nelson.
Entering the seventh and final frame, the Jackets held to an 8-4 lead. With Brady still throwing, the Bobcats plated three runs until GU centerfielder Carlen Nelson hauled in the final out as PVC shortstop Jen Siedlik flied out to end the game.
Brady was able to hold on for the win as she scattered 12 hits and seven runs (five earned) while working around four Bobcat walks. Nelson, Oystrick, Clarkson, and DeGraw all registered two hits each while every Yellowjacket starter collected at least one hit in game two. Foster added another homerun for the Bobcats.
After a pair of hard-played games against Peru State, the Yellowjackets will now prepare for their weekend slate of action scheduled in the Avila Tournament in Kansas City, MO on Friday and Saturday, March 24th and 25th. The Jackets will take on the likes of College of St. Mary, Stephens College, University of Illinois-Springfield, Iowa Wesleyan, and another tilt with Peru State. Without a ton of turnaround time, the Jackets will be traveling to Tucson, Arizona next week for a week of competition during Graceland’s scheduled spring break.
Stay tuned to the GU athletics website for all the recaps and highlights for the Yellowjackets all season long.
Yellowjackets Take One of Two In Double-Header Tilt With Vikings
March 21st, 2007
Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score
Lamoni, IA- The Graceland University softball team hosted Missouri Valley College on Wednesday afternoon and ended with a 1-1 split in a pivotal Heart of America Conference matchup at Lamoni’s North Park. The Jackets prevailed in the opener (8-4) while the Viking bats dominated the second game (8-3) as both teams earned a victory on the day in front of a spirited crowd.
Game One 
Perhaps it was the first day of spring that had Yellowjacket and Viking fans alike excited about the matchup but it also featured two highly-talented teams. With runners reaching base in practically every inning, both teams had plenty of opportunities to break the contest wide open.
The Yellowjackets got on the board early as they plated two runs in the opening frame to take a quick lead on the Vikings. After a leadoff single by GU second-baseman Lindsay Campbell and her advancing on a groundout by Carlene Nelson, first-baseman Jennifer Soukeroff stepped to the plate. Soukeroff drilled an RBI single and Campbell scored the opening run. The Jackets would add on the other run when Bryn Degraw would draw a bases-loaded walk.
Down early, the Vikings would not give up as they added two runs in the second inning and another came around to score in the third giving them a temporary lead. It wouldn’t take long for the Jackets to respond as Maria Barwig, GU’s versatile third-baseman/catcher, connected on a leadoff homerun to open the bottom of the third inning. Now with the score tied, the Blue and Gold would erupt for five more runs in the bottom of the sixth and essentially seal the game one victory. GU’s big inning was highlighted by a two-run triple by Degraw and an RBI single by Soukeroff.
Five Yellowjacket hitters collected multi-hit games including: Degraw, Soukeroff, Nelson, Barwig, and right-fielder Jodie Clarkson.
Earning the win was GU sophomore Carie Hanson as she went six innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits while walking five and striking out four Viking hitters. Jessica Brady came on to finish out the contest with a perfect inning of relief.
Game Two
Game two featured more of the same, as both teams would have their chances to put runs on the board. MVC starter Sandra Hutch went the distance, as she limited the GU offense to three runs on seven hits while also striking out seven. Sarah Lippold received the circle duties in game two for the Jackets as she surrendered 13 hits and eight runs although only six were earned. Jessica Brady once again came on in relief for the Jackets and registered 1 1/3 more innings of relief, allowing two hits but no runs.
Same old story on offense for the Jackets as Nelson, Soukeroff, and Degraw had two hits apiece with Soukeroff providing the power and run production with a 2-run homerun in the third inning.
In the end however, the Viking bats could not be contained as they were able to collect fifteen hits in game two and earn the victory. Second-baseman Lyndsay Sapp registered three hits while also scoring three runs from her leadoff spot in the lineup while designated hitter Heidi Polinder also added three hits and drove in two runs.
The Jackets hit the road on Thursday as they take on non-conference opponent Peru State College in a double-header in Peru, Nebraska. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. GU also is slated to participate in the Avila Tournament on Saturday and Sunday in Kansas City, MO.
Softball Sweeps Benedictine in HAAC Showdown
March 18th, 2007
Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score
Lamoni, IA- Playing their fourth conference game in two days, the Graceland University softball team finally accomplished a series sweep as they defeated Benedictine College 7-3 and 11-1 in front of a good crowd at the North Park in Lamoni. After splitting double-header competition against their last three opponents, the Yellowjackets were able to handle the Ravens fairly easy en route to an important HAAC sweep. GU now stands at 9-3 overall and 4-2 in the Heart of America Collegiate Conference standings.
Game One
With both teams collecting eight hits in the opener, it was the Yellowjacket defense and the pitching of Sarah Lippold who would key the victory. Lippold, a sophomore out of Oceola, IA, contributed six solid innings of work on the mound for GU by allowing only three earned runs on eight hits by the Ravens. She also struck out one while not walking a batter.
Leading the way at the plate for the Blue and Gold was first-baseman Jennifer Soukeroff who registered a 3-3 performance in game one with a run scored and one RBI. GU’s sophomore centerfielder Carlene Nelson added a hit and two runs driven in while designated-hitter Maria Barwig also drove in two runs in the game.
Game Two
With the sun shinning a little brighter and the wind dying down a little as well, the Graceland bats came alive. Totaling 11 runs in five innings, the team was certainly running on all cylinders. Soukeroff added another 3-3 performance in game two while second-baseman Lindsay Campbell also registered a perfect day by going 3-3 at the plate.
The Yellowjackets wasted no time as they exploded for five runs in the opening frame followed by four more in the second inning to essentially seal up the sweep of Benedictine. The Jackets would also tack on two more run in the third inning. Campbell, Soukeroff, Barwig, Lynette Fine, and Tanya Oystrick all produced doubles in the game as the Jackets tallied 11 hits in the contest.
With the offense clicking, GU starter Karie Hanson would have all the run support she would need as she cruised to her fourth victory of the season (4-1). Hanson allowed only three hits and one run as she also registered four strikeouts.
Graceland welcomes Missouri Valley College to Lamoni on Wednesday, March 21st as they take on the Vikings in a pivotal HAAC matchup. First pitch of the double-header is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at North Park.
Jackets Hit the Road Against Culver-Stockton College
March 18th, 2007
Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score
Canton, MO- Traveling for the second time this season to play a HAAC opponent, the Graceland University softball team once again came away with a split decision, losing the first game of the double-header 4-0, then storming back for the victory in game two behind the strong pitching of Carrie Wilson. The Jackets were able to pull out a 5-4 game two win. With the split, GU sits at 7-3 overall and a 2-2 HAAC record.
The Yellowjackets don’t have long to rest as they suit up on Sunday afternoon to take on another conference opponent in Benedictine College. First pitch of the double-header is set for 2:00 at North Park in Lamoni.
Game One
Sophomore Karie Hanson drew the start in the opener against Culver-Stockton and pitched well despite earning the loss. Hanson, an Alberta, Canada native, allowed only two hits in five innings of work, giving up two earned runs and striking out four. Relief specialist Jessica Brady was roughed up in her one inning on the hill as she allowed four hits and two earned runs to cross the plate.
Chantelle Daigle, a versatile infielder for head coach Don Stopa, produced two of the Jacket’s hits in game one while sophomore Maria Barwig continued to do damage at the plate by accounting for the other GU hit.
Game Two
Although not quite as sharp as in her last outing in which GU starter Carrie Wilson completed a seven inning shut-out of Grand View College, Wilson did give the Jackets a solid opportunity to pick up a win. Going the distance, Wilson allowed four earned runs while striking out three.
Overall, the Blue and Gold collected ten hits in game two and had several offensive standouts. Maria Barwig and junior Tania Oystrick each registered two hits in the victory while Chantelle Daigle continued her good work from the opener and collected three more hits in game two. In the double-header, Daigle combined to go a scorching 5-7 and led the Jackets offensive attack.
Crawley Inks Papers to Join Graceland Softball Squad
Lamoni, IA- Head softball coach Don Stopa has announced his second signing for the 2007-2008 season by gaining the commitment of Cainsville High School product, Jill Crawley. A dual-position threat for the Cainsville Redettes, Crawley has performed well as both a talented pitcher as well as a versatile outfielder.
A native of Cainsville, Missouri, Crawley stands in at 5’6” and gives coach Stopa and the Yellowjacket program increased depth and versatility on the mound and in the outfield.
“I watched Jill play during the summer ball season and I was impressed by her play right away” said Stopa. The Yellowjacket’s third-year head coach went on to say, “adding a player of Jill’s abilities as well as her being another local product continues to strengthen our overall softball program”.
An all-conference and all-district selection during her final two seasons at Cainsville, Crawley should be a valuable piece to the Jackets in the future. Crawley played her senior season for head coaches Kelli Goodale and Tim Harding while also competing for the Cainsville girl’s basketball team. Not only a threat on the field, Crawley also excels in the classroom which is evidenced by her rank of third in her senior graduating class. Not limiting herself to athletics, Crawley has also been an active member in 4-H, French Club, FCCLA, and as a class officer.
Jill is the daughter of Kenneth and Barbara Crawley and has two siblings: Jo Gadberry and Jean Crawley.
Jackets Get Strong Pitching and Timely Hitting in Home Opener Split
Box Score-Game One Box Score-Game Two
Lamoni, IA- Finally able to host a game at their home field, the Graceland University softball team took full advantage en route to a tight double-header split with Grand View College on Tuesday afternoon. After riding the strong pitching performance of GU starter Carrie Wilson to a 1-0 victory in game one, the Jackets were defeated 4-1 in game two by the GVC Vikings.
Very pleased with his team’s overall performance against Grand View, head coach Don Stopa and the Yellowjacket’s record now stands at 6-2 on the season as they prepare for another Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent this weekend when they travel to Canton, Missouri to take on Culver-Stockton College on Saturday, March 17th. First pitch is scheduled at 1:00 p.m.
Game One
Pitching was the story in game one of the double-header as both GU’s Carrie Wilson and Grand View’s starting pitcher Kelsey Rethmeier battled for seven innings. Wilson turned out to be the victor as she went seven shutout innings against the Vikings, allowing only three hits while striking out nine and not allowing a walk. Reithmeier was nearly as dominant but ended up allowing five hits and the one earned run while striking out 10 batters and walking three. Reithmeier also hit a batter.
Grand View entered the contest undefeated on the season at 2-0 but couldn’t seem to figure out the crafty Wilson. Earning her second win of the season (2-1), Wilson, a junior right-hander out of Battleford, Saskatchewan, kept the Viking hitters off balance all afternoon.
With the game scoreless entering the bottom of the sixth inning and both pitchers dealing, GU was finally able to break through with what would be the game-winning run. After first-baseman Jennifer Soukeroff opened the inning with a double and was advanced to third on a wildpitch with two outs, that set the stage for GU’s sophomore catcher, Lynette Fine. Fine ripped a single up the middle to plate Soukeroff as the go-ahead run.
Grand View would threaten in the top half of the seventh inning. After GVC catcher Paige Jensen reached on an error with one out, senior Kellie McFadden laced a single to right-field. However, GU outfielder Haley Montgomery came up firing and hit the relay-man and first-baseman Soukeroff who then threw to Jacket’s catcher Fine who applied the tag for the out and kept the lead for GU. With the Vikings still within striking distance, Wilson struck out Carly Thompson to end the game and seal the win for the Yellowjackets. Carlene Nelson collected two of the Yellowjacket’s five hits in game one.
Game Two
Grand View jumped out to an early lead in game two by striking for a run in the first inning and added two more in the fifth. GU would answer with a single run in the sixth but Vikings starter Brianna Jordan and reliever Shannon Michelson combined to keep the Jacket’s offense under wraps.
Sarah Lippold earned the game two start on the rubber for the Jackets and responded with 5 1/3 solid innings, allowing seven hits, four runs (three earned), walking two, and striking out five. Relief specialist Jessica Brady finished out the contest with 1 2/3 innings of perfect relief, allowing only one hit to the Vikings.
GVC centerfielder Ashley Westphal guided the offensive output for the Vikings, collecting four hits and scoring a run. First-baseman Jennifer Soukeroff continued to swing a hot bat as she connected on a 2 for 3 game two including a double. Lynette Fine, GU’s defensive hero in game one, blasted a solo homerun for the Jackets only run in the sixth. McFadden homered for the Vikings.
Yellowjackets Open Up HAAC Play With Split Against Lindenwood
St. Charles, MO- The Graceland University softball team hit the road on Saturday afternoon as they opened up play within the Heart of America Athletic Conference playing a double-header against the Lions of Lindenwood University. After a 2-0 setback in the opening game versus the Lions, the Jackets stormed back for a 5-4 win in the second game to improve their overall record to 5-1 on the young season.
Game One
With the Graceland offense limited to four hits in the first game by Lindenwood hurler Katy Wine, Yellowjacket starter Carrie Wilson would have her work cut out for her. After the Lions struck for an opening inning run by centerfielder Samantha VanPelt, who collected two of the Lion’s ten hits in game one, Wilson would settle down and hold the Lion offensive attack in check for the next three innings. The Lions would tack on another run in the fifth with VanPelt once again scoring the run for Lindenwood.
Wilson took the loss for the Yellowjackets, despite a solid performance in which she totaled four strikeouts and only one walk in six innings of work.
Game Two
Yellowjacket third-baseman Maria Barwig continued to swing a hot bat for the Blue and Gold as she collected three hits in game two along with a walk and one RBI. Barwig, a sophomore and native of British Columbia, paced the Jacket’s 12-hit attack but was not alone as many other players contributed to the hard-earned victory. Leadoff hitter Lindsey Campbell, first-baseman Jennifer Soukeroff, and catcher Lynette Fine all collected two hits in game two to aid the Jacket victory.
Two Yellowjacket pitchers combined for the game two victory with sophomore Katie Hanson going six and two-third innings in earning the win, followed by freshman Jessica Brady coming on in the seventh to close out the game and earn the save. Hanson allowed four earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out two Lion hitters.
Lindenwood starter Kristy Lawlor went the distance and gave up five earned runs on twelve Yellowjacket hits while earning the loss. The loss was her first of the season as she drops to 2-1.
The Yellowjackets held a 5-2 advantage heading into the final inning when Lindenwood struck for two quick runs and only one out in the inning, that prompted GU head coach Don Stopa to make the pitching change and Brady was able to squash the Lindenwood rally and hold on for the GU victory.
Yellowjacket Softball Signs First Recruit in Jaymi Crozier
Head Coach Don Stopa is pleased to announce the first 2007-08 signing for the Yellowjacket softball program. Jaymi Crozier of Melcher-Dallas High School has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Jackets and coach Stopa is very excited with his first recruit of the year. “
Jaymi is a gifted softball player and a great athlete,” said Stopa. “She will fit in right away with this program.”
Crozier played behind the dish as a catcher and recently made the move to first base where she has been an all-conference, all-district, and honorable mention all-state player for two seasons. Jaymi will play her final season for the Saints this summer and she looks to have another great year for head coach, and father, Jim Crozier.
Crozier’s father and four uncles: Joe, Mark, Bruce and Mike all attended Graceland University, and played football, so Jaymi is following in the family tradition of Yellowjacket athletes.
“It is tough to sign local athletes and even tougher to sign good ones; Jaymi is definitely both” said Stopa.
Jaymi’s mother Lori is pleased that Jaymi has picked a school close to home and dad is really excited as she will be wearing the blue and gold in 2008.
While in high school, Jaymi made the Honor Roll, High Honor Roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. She also played basketball, track and volleyball while participating with the drill team, FBLA and youth camp.
Jaymi is the daughter of Jim and Lori…Granddaughter of Bill and Luetta Crozier, Jeanette Crozier; and Ken and Marilyn DeZwarte…Sister to Hayli and Lexi.
Jackets Come Out Swinging
The Graceland University softball team opened up their 2007 season this weekend as they braved near freezing temperatures and played road games in Wichita, Kansas and McPherson, Kansas. The Jackets are off to a great start as they went 4-0 with victories over Friends University (6-3), Bethany College (14-2), Central Christian College (6-3) and Sterling College (20-9). In total the Jackets out scored their opponents 46-17 and hit a whopping .456 as a team. The Graceland pitching staff also performed very well as each pitcher got a win and they had a combined ERA of 2.45.
Sophomore Maria Barwig led the way at the plate as she went 12-14 (.857) with two doubles, one triple, three homeruns and 13 RBI’s as she started at third base and behind the plate. “Maria was unstoppable.” Noted head coach Don Stopa. “She is off to an unbelievable start.”
Right behind Barwig was sophomore Haley Montgomery who went 7-9 (.778) in her two starts. Sophomore Carlene Nelson also had a great day as she went 9-16 (.563) with two doubles, a homerun and she led the team in scoring as she was plated ten times. Frosh Shayna Schoonover was welcomed to the college ranks as she hit 6-11 (.545) in her first weekend of college softball action. Junior Jennifer Soukeroff started off slow as she went 1-7 on day one but the bat woke up and she went 6-9 on day two, all while driving in seven runs. Over the two days Soukeroff hit .438 with a double and a home run and nine total RBI’s.
The hit-list continues as Sophomore Bryn DeGraw, who returned from a year off due to shoulder surgery, hit 2-5 (.400) in her two starts. Juniors Lindsay Campbell, 3-8 (.375) and Tanya Oystrick 4-12 (.333) were more than solid at the plate and Campbell hit her first career homerun in the victory over Friends University.
“I was very impressed with our offensive effort as 14 of our 15 batters gained at least one hit over the weekend,” said Stopa. “It will be impossible to keep up this pace but I am more than impressed with our start.”
The 2007 Yellowjackets have a four-person pitching staff and each person earned a victory on the weekend. Junior Carrie Wilson started off the weekend with the win over Friends. Wilson went five innings strong, striking out four and giving up two earned runs. Frosh Jessica Brady closed out the game throwing the final two innings and picking up the save.
In game two Karie Hanson pitched four strong innings against Bethany College and earned her first win of the season. Karie gave up two earned runs and struck out three Bethany batters before giving way to sophomore Sarah Lippold who threw a flawless one inning in relief.
On Saturday Lippold got the early start against Central Christian College. Lippold threw a five inning complete game where she gave up three runs, none of which were earned, on four hits.
In the final game of the weekend Jessica Brady got her first college start and she threw well as she earned a win. In the four innings pitched Brady gave up three runs, one earned, on five hits. Karie Hanson came in to finish off the game and had a little bad luck as she gave up six runs, none earned, on five hits.
The Yellowjackets have a long road ahead of them but there is a great deal of optimism as this weekend was their first day outside of a gymnasium and they performed very well. “I didn’t know what to expect as we have not even been outside yet. To go error free on day one was a bit of a surprise but we have the talent and the desire to win.” Said Stopa.
Jackets Add Spring Depth
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Head Coach Don Stopa would like to welcome a pair of Jessica Brady attended IHCC for one semester before transferring to
“Jessica is a great pitcher who I think a lot of people missed out on,” noted Coach Stopa.
Jessica is the daughter of Craig and Crystal, sister to Clayton, Matt, George and Megan.
Sarah Lippold, who is also a college transfer, played softball and volleyball at Southwestern’s
Prior to SCC Lippold attended Clark Community high school in Osceola were she was her team’s most-valuable-player, second team all-conference and a four-year pitching award winner. Sarah was also honored by the National Honor Society and took part in the chamber choir, church choir and art club.
“I have had a chance to see Sarah pitch a few times and she has what it takes to be a great pitcher here at GU. With her stuff and experience she will make us better right away.” Said Stopa.
Sarah is the daughter of Mary Anna and Eugene, sister to Christy, Ted, Kevin, Brian, Calli and Katie.
“Pitching depth is very important in a college season as we will cram 50 to 60 games in a couple of months,” said Stopa. “These two young ladies will not only add depth they will add strength to our pitching staff.” |
05-10-06 Two Jackets Make All-conference Team
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Two Freshman Nelson was in the top of nearly all of the Jackets offensive stats as she started 38 games in the outfield. Carlene led the team in batting average at .325, hits at 38 and doubles with 8. Soukeroff also had a great offensive year as she led the team in RBI’s with 23 and placed second on the team in batting average with .317 and homeruns with two. Soukeroff was the only Yellowjacket to appear in all 43 games in 2006 where she started 41, most of which were at first base. |
06-25-05 Stopa Promoted to Head Softball Coach
Director of Athletics Dan Hanton has promoted Don Stopa to head coach of the softball team at Graceland University. Stopa, who served as the associate head coach last season under Bill Dudek, will begin his first year as a collegiate head softball coach in the fall of 2005. Dudek will be the associate head coach.
In 2004 Stopa helped Dudek take the softball team to a new level of play, with his aggressive work ethic and rigorous off-season workout programs. The ladies played in 46 contests, which was nearly 10 more games than the previous year, due to Stopa’s enthusiasm for the season. Stopa helped two players land on the 2004 all-conference team, and two other athletes were named conference players of the week during Stopa’s first season with the Jackets.
“Don Stopa’s work ethic and dedication to the game is a plus for the athletic department and Graceland as a whole,” says Hanton. “Stopa’s ability to work along with Coach Dudek is an added ingredient for a successful program.”
Stopa spent two years as the lead assistant and pitching coach for Graceland baseball prior to the 2004 season with the softball team. He also serves as the recruiting coordinator for the baseball team, where his contacts across Canada and the United States can help him build and strengthen the Yellowjacket baseball and softball programs. “Don Stopa is an outstanding recruiter,” adds Hanton. “His ability to recruit young ladies from both the United States and Canada will add a new dimension to women’s softball.”
Stopa has lofty goals for the softball program, including a trip to the Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament, and he believes his recruiting will help him attain that goal. “There are two things necessary to being successful at the college level both for the players and the coaches, sound fundamentals and hard work on the recruiting trail,” says Stopa. “I know I can teach the players how to be better, and with my aggressive recruiting I have, and will, bring in the players that will make the Yellowjackets a better team.”
Prior to his coaching stint with Graceland baseball, Stopa was an assistant coach in charge of pitchers for three seasons with the NJCAA Norsemen of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla. He has also spent nine years coaching along the West Coast of the United States and Canada, with elite club teams in Vancouver and Seattle.
Coach Stopa, who graduated from Graceland with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in media writing, originally hails from White Rock, British Columbia, Canada where he grew up and his family still resides.
05-31-05 Four Softball Seniors Earn All-American Scholar-Athlete Recognition
Four Graceland University seniors earned 2005 Daktronics-NAIA All-American Softball Scholar-Athlete recognition. The four seniors include Sami Busick, Regan Campbell, Bobbie Sue Downs and Amy Sisson.
Sami Busick, from Newtown, Mo., graduated in May with a degree in business administration. Sami was an outfielder and pitcher for the Yellowjackets in 2005. She appeared in 21 games as a pitcher, and held a 1.99 ERA with a 7-11 record. Busick batted .289 this season in 44 games and 152 at bats. She had 44 hits, nine of which were doubles. Sami led the team in RBI (23) and ERA. Sami was voted Graceland’s 2005 Most Valuable Pitcher by her teammates.
Right fielder Regan Campbell received her bachelor’s degree in art and visual communication in mid-May. Campbell, from Creston, Iowa, led the team in stolen bases (8) and was second on the team in batting average (.341), runs scored (25), hits (46) and total bases (61). Campbell, who played in 43 games, had 46 hits, nine doubles and three triples in 135 at bats. Her slugging percentage was .452 and she was a perfect eight of eight stealing bases. Regan was the Yellowjackets’ Most Valuable Outfielder in 2005.
Bobbie Sue Downs, an accounting and business administration graduate, was a pitcher and infielder for the 2005 Yellowjackets. Downs, from Allerton, Iowa, played in 41 games this season, nine of which were from the pitcher’s mound. Downs batted .239 this season in 138 at bats. She had 33 hits, including four doubles and two triples. Bobbie Sue was the team’s Most Inspirational Player this year.
Amy Sisson was a catcher and outfielder from Richmond, Mo. Sisson graduated with a degree in athletic training in May 2005. She batted .275 in 102 at bats throughout 40 games this season. Sisson had 28 hits, one double, one triple and five RBI. Sisson’s .990 fielding percentage was second on the team. Amy was the Most Valuable Infielder for the 2005 Yellowjackets.
05-09-05 Two Jacket Softball Players Receive Post Season Honors
Senior first baseman Casey Cole and junior third baseman Kelsey MacKinnon have been recognized by the Heart of America Athletic Conference coaches as all-conference players of 2005.
Cole was voted to the first team as she was recognized for a great year with both her offensive and defensive excellence. Cole led the Jackets with a batting average of.368 which placed her eighth in the conference’s final standings along with her second place in doubles per game and seventh in triples per game. Cole was among the top 20 in every offensive category in the HAAC.
Defensively Cole had an outstanding year as she moved from shortstop to first base. With a fielding average of .991 Cole ranked fifth in the HAAC and only made two errors in 229 chances.
Kelsey MacKinnon got a second team nod for her outstanding offensive effort and her leadership skills. MacKinnon hit .327 which was third amongst the Jackets and 25th in the HAAC. MacKinnon was top ten in runs per game and triples per game and top 25 in runs, doubles and RBI.
The Yellowjackets ended the 2005 season 17-29 overall and 7-13 in the HAAC.
05-02-05 All-Conference Scholar-Athletes
The Heart of America Athletic Conference has recognized 32 Graceland University athletes as All-Conference Scholar-Athletes for 2004-05. The Yellowjacket softball, women’s track and football teams led the way with four scholars each, followed by the women’s volleyball, men’s track, men’s cross country and men’s soccer teams with three scholar-athletes apiece.
The following is a list of Graceland’s 2004-05 HAAC Scholar-Athletes:
Athlete -- GPA -- Sport -- Major
Samantha Busick -- 3.51 -- Softball -- Business Administration
Regan Campbell -- 3.71 Softball -- Art: Visual Communication
Bobbie Sue Downs -- 3.89 -- Softball -- Accounting/ Bus. Admin.
Amy Sisson -- 3.80 -- Softball -- Athletic Training
05-02-05 DeGraw, Wilson Grab Player of the Week Honors
The Heart of America Athletic Conference has selected Graceland freshmen Bryn Degraw and Carrie Wilson as HAAC Players of the Week for April 24-30.
Shortstop Bryn DeGraw has been named Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week. DeGraw was 5-for-8 at the dish this week with four runs, one double, a triple and three RBI. In a two-game series against Benedictine, DeGraw was 4-for-5 with four runs and three RBI. The St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, native finished the week with a .625 batting average, two multi-hit games, four walks, and 1.000 slugging percentage.
Pitcher Carrie Wilson has been selected Heart of America Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. Wilson was 1-1 with one save this week for the Yellowjackets, working 13 innings and allowing three earned runs on 12 hits. The Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, native recorded 14 strikeouts and only allowed three walks, finishing with a 1.62 ERA for the week.
The Jackets ended the 2005 season last Wednesday with two wins over Benedictine College. Graceland finished with a 17-29 overall record.
04-29-05 Softball Wins Final Two Games
The Graceland University softball team finished the 2005 season in winning fashion as they swept the Ravens of Benedictine College by scores of 6-3 and 7-5 on Wednesday in Lamoni.
In game one the Jackets scored four times in the second inning when five consecutive batters reached on base hits. Bryn DeGraw was the fourth who hit a bases-clearing double that plated Casey Cole, Sami Busick and Lindsay Campbell. Jodie Clarkson followed DeGraw’s hit with a base hit that scored DeGraw.
DeGraw led off the fourth inning with a triple and was once again scored on an RBI single by Clarkson. Amy Sisson who went 2-3 in the game was the third Jacket in a row to reach on a base hit and Bobbie Sue Downs got the Jackets final RBI as she plated Clarkson with a single of her own.
The Jackets scored six runs on 13 hits in a game where Cole, Campbell, DeGraw and Clarkson each had multi-hit games.
Senior Sami Busick picked up the win in her final start as a Yellowjacket. Busick pitched six innings where she gave up three runs, one earned on three hits and she struck out five. Carrie Wilson came in to pitch the final inning where she faced three batters, two of which she struck out on her way to her second save of the season.
In game two of the double header the Jackets scored another seen runs as they pounded the Ravens pitching staff for another 12 hits. Frosh Lindsay Campbell led the way for the Jackets as she went 3-3 in the game with two singles and a double.
Bryn DeGraw went 2-3 in game two as did Amy Moran who also knocked in two Graceland base runners. Bobbie Sue Downs went 2-4 in game two with a pair of RBIs and Sami Busick also knocked in a pair in a 1-3 effort. Kelsey MacKinnon and Casey Cole each picked up a hit in the contest and each drove in a run.
Carrie Wilson got the final start for the Yellowjackets where she struck out a season high eight batters as she gave up two earned runs of the five scored and picked up the teams final win of the 2005 campaign.
“We missed the playoffs by one game but it was great to go out with a pair of victories,” said head coach Bill Dudek.
The Yellowjackets finished the 2005 season with an overall record of 17-29 and a HAAC record of 7-13.
04-20-05 Softball Splits With Jewell
The Graceland University softball team traveled to Liberty, Mo., to take on the Cardinals of William Jewell College on Wednesday and the Jackets earned a much needed split as the Cards won game one 8-0 and the Jackets took game two 3-1.
In game one the Cardinals came out swinging and crushed their way to eight runs on nine hits in the first half of the twin bill. Graceland starting pitcher Sami Busick threw well but anything over the plate was hit and hit well. Busick pitched four innings before giving way to Bobbie Sue Downs who finished off the game.
The Yellowjackets only managed two hits in game one and both were singles by Amy Moran and Casey Cole.
In game two Graceland starting pitcher Carrie Wilson was able to keep the Cardinal batters off balance with a steady diet of breaking balls and change ups on her way to the 3-1 victory. Wilson struck out two and walked one, but the solid late game defense of the Jackets helped Wilson out of a couple jams.
The Yellowjackets out-hit the Cards 10-6 in game two where four Jacket batters had multi-hit games. Amy Sisson went 2-3 with a single and a double, Regan Campbell went 2-3 with a pair of singles, Kelsey MacKinnon 2-4 with an RBI and Sami Busick went 2-4 with a double and an RBI.
Casey Cole hit her team leading 12th double that plated the Jackets first run of the ballgame and Bryn DeGraw hit a triple that scored the Jackets final run of the game.
“The team showed a lot of heart in coming back and winning game one today,” commented head coach Bill Dudek.
The Jackets have six conference games left in 2005 and they need to win a great deal of them if they wish to attend the 2005 HAAC playoffs. The Yellowjackets travel to St. Charles, Mo., to take on Lindenwood University on Saturday April 23 at 1:00 p.m., then return home to take on Benedictine College Monday, April 25 at 5:00 p.m. for senior night. The Jacket softball team will close out the 2005 season at home versus Baker University Tuesday, April 26th at 4:00p.m.
04-19-05 Graceland Softball Wins Two Crucial Games
The Graceland University softball team returned home Tuesday afternoon to take on the Eagles of Avila University in a HAAC match-up of two teams battling for playoff berths.
Avila came into the game with an overall record of 31-11 and 6-6 in the HAAC. The Yellowjackets have struggled to a 12-24 overall record and 2-8 in the HAAC but the team has led or been close to each and every team in the conference match-ups.
Game one had all of the offense in the first inning as Avila struck first with a run in their first at-bat but the Jackets answered with a pair of runs on a Casey Cole double that plated Bryn DeGraw and Bobbie Sue Downs.
Cole, Downs and Kelsey MacKinnon were the only Jackets to get hits in the game but that was all starting pitcher Sami Busick needed as she shut the door and only gave up four hits in the ballgame, two of which came in the first inning. Busick struck out five of the Eagle batters she faced and only walked one in the complete game 2-1 win.
“We know if we play a solid, complete game we can beat anyone,” commented head coach Bill Dudek, “and today we played two solid games.”
In game two the Jackets once again got off to a quick start as Casey Cole came up big again hitting a one out double that plated three Yellowjacket base runners. The Jackets out-hit the Eagles 6-4 in game two and earned their fourth conference victory by a final score of 3-0. Regan Campbell led the way for Graceland as she had two singles in a 2-3 effort. DeGraw, Downs and MacKinnon also had solo efforts for the Yellowjacket offensive unit.
Frosh Carrie Wilson got the start for the Jackets and she went the distance striking out six Eagle batters in the shut-out. “Carrie struggled at times as she walked three and hit five batters but she showed great poise as she worked her way out of two bases loaded jams,” noted associate head coach Don Stopa.
The two wins improve the Yellowjacket’s conference record to 4-8 as they prepare to take on the Cardinals of William Jewell College who are 9-9 in the HAAC. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. in Liberty, Mo. Wednesday, April 20th.
04-17-05 Graceland Softball Struggles Through a Long Weekend
The Graceland University softball team played eight games over the weekend and dropped seven games, four of which were tough conference losses.
On Thursday the Jackets squared off at home versus the #23 team in the nation and the top team in the HAAC, the Crusaders of Evangel University.
In game one the Jackets only managed to get one hit and committed five errors 4-0 defeat. Lindsay Campbell got the only hit for Graceland as she went 1-3 in the game. Sami Busick picked up the loss were she struck out five, walked one and didn’t surrender any earned runs.
Game two was another sloppy defensive effort for the Jackets as they committed another five errors in a 5-1 loss. Carrie Wilson pitched all seven for the Jackets and she gave up five runs, one earned on eight hits. “Our pitchers are keeping us in every game,” commented associate head coach Don Stopa. “We have to play much better behind them.” The Jackets scored one run on three hits as Bobbie Sue Downs, Amy Moran and Lindsay Campbell each hit singles.
The weekend continued with a four-game tournament in Gladstone, Mo. that was hosted by William Jewell College. The Jackets lost game one 5-2 to Lincoln University and beat York College 6-4 in a 10-inning thriller. Carrie Wilson got the win for the Yellowjackets as she pitched all ten innings striking out seven and giving up no earned runs.
Regan Campbell led the way for the Jacket offense as she went 3-5 and scored a run. Six other Jackets picked up hits for a total of nine in the game. Bobbie Sue Downs and Kelsey MacKinnon each had doubles in the game and each picked up an RBI.
On day two the Jackets lost their third game of the tournament to Oklahoma Baptist University by a score of 3-0. The Graceland squad played a great overall game but came up short on the scoreboard. Bobbie Sue Downs made a return to pitching and threw a great three innings that will help the team down the stretch.
In the final game of the tournament the Jackets took on the #12 team in the nation Columbia College. The Jackets managed to keep pace with Columbia as Graceland picked up six hits to Columbia’s nine but the scoreboard was in favor of Columbia 8-0.
The Jackets had no time to rest as they returned home Sunday for a conference double header versus Central Methodist University. In game one the Jackets out hit the Eagles 6-4 and had a 1-0 lead going into the seventh. A couple of hits and a Graceland error led to a three run seventh inning for the Eagles and the Jackets couldn’t answer back in the bottom of the inning. The 3-1 loss was the fourth conference game that the Jackets have led late and lost.
In game two of the twin bill the Eagles scored first with a run in the top of the second and the Jackets answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Central Methodist scored a run in the fifth and that would prove to be the game winning run as the final was 2-1 in favor of the Eagles.
The Yellowjacket softball team’s is out-hitting their opponents both for average and power and out-pitching their opponents by an ERA of almost a point, but the record has dropped to 12-24. “We have to win at least five of our last 10 conference games if we hope to make the tournament,” noted head coach Bill Dudek.
The Jackets return home for a rain date versus Avila University Tuesday, April 19. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. at North Park in Lamoni.
04-11-05 Yellowjacket Softball Blasts Vikings
The Graceland University softball team traveled to Marshall, Mo. to take on the Vikings of Missouri Valley College in an important conference double-header on Saturday, April 9. The Jackets won 8-1 and 9-1.
In game one the Jackets outscored the Vikings 8-1 as they picked up their first conference victory of the 2005 season. Seven Yellowjackets had multi-hit games as they pounded the Vikings pitcher for 16 total hits.
Senior Regan Campbell led the way with a single, a double and a triple in the game as she went 3-3 at the plate. Lindsay Campbell also had a triple and one RBI while both Bryn DeGraw and Sami Busick reached on doubles as they both hit 2-5 in the game. Bobbie Sue Downs, Kelsey MacKinnon, Amy Moran and Amy Sisson also had two hits each in game one.
Yellowjacket starting pitcher Sami Busick threw the complete seven inning game, striking out five Vikings as she only gave up one run on four hits. Busick improved her record to 4-4 on the season.
In game two the Jackets continued to pepper the Viking pitchers as they scored nine runs on 13 hits on their way to a 9-1 victory. Sami Busick continued swinging a hot bat as she went 3-5 with one RBI. Bobbie Sue Downs, Kelsey MacKinnon and Regan Campbell each went 2-4 as they also plated three Jacket base runners. Casey Cole, who had missed 15 games with a hamstring injury, chipped in with a two RBI pinch hit single in a five run fifth inning that made the game out of reach for the Vikings.
Frosh Carrie Wilson threw a complete game two hitter where she struck out four of the 29 batters she faced on her way to her fourth win of the season.
The Jackets improved their over-all record to 11-17 and their HAAC record to 2-4 but they have a tough schedule ahead as they will have 14 conference games to play in less than three weeks.
04-03-05 Graceland Softball Wins Three
The Graceland University softball team traveled to Blue Springs, Mo. to take part in the Dennis Gault Softball Tournament hosted by Avila University. The Jackets played three games Saturday, April 2 and a pair of games on Sunday, April 3. The team came out with a record of 3-2 and they are playing a caliber of ball that will help them as they head into the heart of their conference schedule. Game One
Graceland 9, Bethany 0
In the Jackets’ first game of the tournament, senior Sami Busick took to the circle and threw a one-hit shutout that ended in a five-inning mercy rule. Busick struck out two in the game, walked none and gave up the only hit in the third.
The Jackets pummeled the Swedes starter for nine runs on 12 hits. All nine Yellowjackets recorded at least one hit in the game; Busick led the way with a single, a double and she hit in two runs. Amy Moran went 2-3 in the game and she had a single and a triple, while Jodie Clarkson also had two hits. Kelsey MacKinnon and Bryn DeGraw each had triples in the game as they drove in three RBIs combined.
Game Two
Graceland 3, #12 Bacone 8
The Jackets faced the number 12 team in the nation, Bacone College, in game two, and after five innings the Jackets pulled within two in a 5-3 ballgame. But the big bats of the Warriors proved to be too much for the Graceland defense.
Bobbie Sue Downs pitched in her first game back off an injury to her pitching hand and gave up three runs on no hits. The hand appeared to bother her as she gave up more walks in the two innings than she had in the previous 29 innings. Frosh Carrie Wilson came on in the third where she gave up five runs on eight hits over the remainder of the game.
The Jacket offense managed to score three runs on six hits, off of two of the best pitchers they have seen to this point of the 2005 season. Kelsey MacKinnon led the way at the plate as she went 2-3 with a single, a triple and two RBI’s. Amy Sisson went 1-2 in the game with a triple and an RBI while Sami Busick picked up the Jackets other extra base hit which was a double to lead off the second. Regan Campbell and Cassie Turner were the other Jackets to record hits in the game.
Game Three
Graceland 3, Benedictine 0
Game three had the Jackets facing off against HAAC opponent, Benedictine College. The Yellowjackets out-hit the Ravens 7-4 in the game and Sami Busick pitched her second win of the day. Busick struck out six Ravens in the shutout before giving way to Carrie Wilson, who got the final out and the save.
Lindsay Campbell was the only player to record multiple hits in the game as she went 2-3 with a pair of singles. Regan Campbell had the Jackets only extra base hit which was a lead-off triple in the sixth and she was scored by an Amy Moran single.
Day one of the tournament had the Yellowjacket coaching staff pleased with the team’s overall performance but they had another tough day ahead as they had to play two strong teams on Sunday: Kansas Wesleyan University and the number six team in the nation, the Drovers of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Game Four
Graceland 5, Kan. Wesleyan 4
Sunday morning came quick and the Jackets started by scoring a run in the first inning as Bobbie Sue Downs reached on an error and Kelsey MacKinnon drove her in with a triple. Kansas Wesleyan answered back with a run of their own in the second and the Jackets fired back with one in the third, two in the fifth and one in the sixth frame. The Yellowjackets appeared to be cruising until the bottom of the sixth where the defense committed a pair of errors and gave up three unearned runs.
MacKinnon went 4-4 in the game where she hit two singles, a double a triple and she had two RBIs. The Jackets had 10 hits in the game and four players recorded all of the offense. Amy Sisson went 2-3 with a double while Bryn DeGraw and Sami Busick each went 2-4, DeGraw with a triple, Busick with an RBI.
Frosh Carrie Wilson pitched one of her best games of the year as she went all seven innings striking out six and spreading out five hits throughout the seven inning game. Wilson who has struggled with control at times, battled hard and only gave up one walk in the victory.
Game Five
Graceland 0, #6 USAO 9
The Drovers of USAO showed the Jackets why they are one of the best teams in the nation as the played a complete game of great offense and stellar defense. The Jackets on the other hand committed seven errors which led to six unearned runs.
Sami Busick took the loss in the game as she gave up eight hits before giving way to Wilson who faced the final two batters of the game.
Offensively the Jackets faced another great pitcher and managed to get two hits over the five innings of play. Amy Moran and Amy Sisson each had singles as they both went 1-2 in the game.
The Jackets will host Avila University for a conference double-header on Wednesday, April 6 at North Park in Lamoni. The first pitch is at 3:00 p.m.
03-25-05 Jackets Go Winless In Tennessee
The Graceland University softball team traveled south for spring break where they faced Lambuth University (Jackson, Tenn.), Freed-Hardeman University (Henderson, Tenn.) and Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.) in a six game road trip. The Jackets went 0-6 on the week but the experience of facing great teams will benefit a team that has played a hard 2005 schedule.
March 21, 2005
In the first double-header versus Lambuth University the Jackets lost by scores of 1-10 and 6-7. The Jackets lost the second game in extra innings after leading most of the game. Both teams picked up 16 total hits over the two games and the Jackets out hit Lambuth 10-7 in game two but the Graceland squad came up short on the scoreboard in both games.
March 22, 2005
The Jackets traveled to Henderson, Tenn., to take on Freed-Hardeman University and once again the Jackets dropped a pair 0-6 and 1-2. The Jackets only mustered eight hits in the double header while Freed-Hardeman picked up 14. The Jackets made five errors in game one but cleaned things up and played a near flawless game in the nightcap.
March 24, 2005
After a day off in Nashville, the Jackets took to the field on Thursday in Lebanon, Tenn. where they squared off against Cumberland University. The Yellowjackets were downed 0-4 and 2-3 in two exciting games that saw great pitching efforts and some excellent defensive play by both squads.
The trip to Tennessee was not good for the Jackets in the win column but the experience and the good competition will help the struggling Jackets as they near the mid-point of the 2005 campaign.
03-17-05 Jackets Smash Spires
The Graceland University softball team returned home Thursday to take on the Spires of the University of Saint Mary, from Leavenworth, Kan., in a double header at North Park. The Jackets smashed the Spires by a total of 19 runs, five of which were in the first game’s 8-3 Graceland win, with the rest in the second game’s 15-1 romp. Game One
Graceland 8
St. Mary 3
In game one the Jackets found themselves down by a 2-0 score after three and a half innings but in the bottom of the fourth senior Sami Busick hit a one out double that started a rally. By the end of the inning all nine Jackets made it to the plate and four scored on four hits. The Spires also committed one error and walked one Jacket batter to keep the rally going.
In the fifth inning eight batters made it to the plate and once again the Jackets plated four more runs, all that starting pitcher Carrie Wilson needed as the Jackets went on to win by a score of 8-3.
Catcher Cassie Turner had a big game for Graceland as she went 3-3 at the plate hitting in three RBI’s. Sami Busick also had three hits as she went 3-4. The only other Jacket to have a multi-hit game was Kelsey MacKinnon who went 2-3. The Yellowjackets scored their eight runs on thirteen hits four of which were for extra bases.
Wilson pitched the complete seven inning game for the Jackets, striking out seven Spire batters while giving up three runs, one earned, on six hits.
Game Two
Graceland 15
St. Mary 1
In game two the Yellowjacket offense came out firing again. The Jackets scored 15 runs on 13 hits, drew five walks and capitalized on two Spire errors. “We faced some good pitchers today but we were able to be aggressive and put the ball in play,” commented head coach Bill Dudek.
Bryn DeGraw went 2-2 with a double and three RBI’s out of the leadoff spot. Right after DeGraw was Kelsey MacKinnon who went 2-3 with two RBI’s and in the clean-up spot Casey Cole went 3-3 with four RBI’s. Cole hit a single, double and a triple in game two of the twin bill.
Sami Busick got the start for the Jackets in game two where she pitched a gem and she helped herself out at the plate by going 3-3 with three singles and two RBI’s. Regan Campbell, Lindsay Campbell and Cassie Turner also picked up singles in the game.
Busick threw the complete five inning game where she gave up one run on two hits, all of which came in the first inning. Busick struck out three of the 17 St. Mary batters she faced.
The Jackets will have a couple of days off as they travel to Tennessee to play two scrimmages and six games over spring break. With their hot bats, solid defense and steady pitching the Yellowjackets look to improve on the 6-7 overall record.
03-15-05 YellowJacket Softball Drops Two
The Graceland University women’s softball team traveled to Canton, Mo., to take on the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College in their 2005 Heart of America Conference opening double header on Tuesday. The Jackets came up short in both games, 2-6 in the first and 4-6 in the second game. Game One
Culver-Stockton 6
Graceland 2
In game one the Jackets jumped the Wildcat starting pitcher for two runs in the first inning but the Wildcats answered back with one in the bottom of the first, three in the second and one more in the third. Culver-Stockton finished the scoring in the game with a single run in the sixth inning.
The Jackets managed to get six hits in the ball game off the Wildcat pitcher. Seniors Casey Cole and Sami Busick each went 2-3 in the game, Busick also picked up the two RBI’s. Senior Regan Campbell went 1-3 and Junior Kelsey MacKinnon had the Jackets other hit as she went 1-4.
Freshman Carrie Wilson got the start in game one and pitched six innings giving up six runs, two earned, on eight hits. The Jackets made four errors in the game and the Wildcats were able to capitalize on every mistake.
Game Two
Culver-Stockton 6
Graceland 4
In game two the Jackets once again jumped on the Wildcat starter and scored two runs in the first inning. The Jackets starter Sami Busick threw scoreless innings in the first and second but gave up a single run in the third where she gave up three hits.
Both teams had scoreless fourth and fifth innings but the Jackets were able to score a pair in the top of the six to take a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the sixth the Wildcats were able to rally and score five runs on six hits and take their first and final lead of the game. The Jackets got shut down in the top of seven and went on to lose their second conference game.
The Jackets’ record drops to 4-7 on the season and 0-2 in the HAAC. The next action for the Jackets is at home Thursday, March 17 at 3:00 p.m. versus the University of Saint Mary from Leavenworth, Kan.
03-12-05 Jackets Open and Close Strong in Salina
The Graceland softball team traveled south to Salina, Kan. to hit the diamond versus five Kansas teams on Friday and Saturday, March 11th and 12th. The weather was hot and the Jackets bats and defense were even hotter. Graceland came away with three wins and two losses for the tournament. Game One
Graceland 13
Kansas Wesleyan 1
It took three innings for the Jackets’ bats to wake up, but once they did the team scored 13 runs over the final three innings of the game. Eight of the Jackets nine batters picked up at least one hit in the contest, leading the way were Bryn DeGraw, Kelsey MacKinnon and Sami Busick who each had two. The trio also managed to drive in nine of the team’s 13 runs.
The Jackets surprised Kansas Wesleyan with a display of power as Busick hit a double, Casey Cole a triple and both DeGraw and MacKinnon picked up their first homeruns of the season.
Bobbie Sue Downs picked up the complete game win as she scattered seven hits over five innings while giving up one run. The steady defense of the Yellowjackets did not make any errors and Downs pitched her third game in a row without giving up a walk.
Game Two
Bethany 4
Graceland 2
Freshman Carrie Wilson got the start in game two and pitched well but picked up the 2-4 extra inning loss for the Yellowjackets. Three of the Swedes’ runs were unearned as the Jackets made a couple of key errors, late in the game, with two outs. Wilson pitched all eight innings giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out six.
The Jackets out-hit the Swedes 10-7, but the Graceland batters stranded eight runners on base. Bryn DeGraw, Kelsey MacKinnon and Casey Cole each went 3-4 in the game with both DeGraw and MacKinnon each picked up an RBI.
“Our team played well in both games, I am really pleased how we hit the ball and played defense,” said head coach Bill Dudek. “We have three tough games ahead of for tomorrow, so we need to get ready and continue to work hard.”
Game Three
Sterling 6
Graceland 4
The Jackets took to the field bright and early Saturday morning as they faced the Warriors of Sterling College in a 9:00 a.m. start. Bobbie Sue Downs was the starting pitcher for the Yellowjackets. In six and two-third innings Downs gave up six runs, four earned, on eight hits before she got injured on a come-backer that hit her in the pitching hand. Carrie Wilson came in to get the final out of the game on a fly ball to Regan Campbell in right field.
Before Downs left the game with her injury she went 1-3 at the plate with a triple and a sacrifice bunt. Casey Cole and Lindsay Campbell each 2-3 in the game, Cole with an RBI. The Jackets out-hit their opponents for the second game in a row but also suffered their second consecutive loss.
Game Four
Graceland 5
Friends 3
The Jackets went from one field to the next and took on a Friends University team that was struggling to get wins but was pacing teams in close match-ups throughout the tournament. Freshman Carrie Wilson got her second start of the tournament and get her first college win in the 5-3 victory. Wilson pitched seven innings giving up three runs, two earned, on four hits while striking out seven Falcon Batters.
At the plate the Jackets managed to score five runs on seven hits. Kelsey MacKinnon and Regan Campbell led the way with two hits a piece. Campbell hit a double, Casey Cole hit a triple and both players brought in a runner.
Game Five
Graceland 16
McPherson 1
In the final game of the tournament for the Jackets Sami Busick got the starting pitcher job and she went to work. The game only lasted four innings due to a mercy rule but Busick made the best of her start and earned her first win of the 2005 campaign giving up one run on four hits.
The Jacket offense scored 16 runs on 16 hits. Eight of the nine Jackets that played in the game got a hit and the leadoff pair of DeGraw and MacKinnon each went 3-4 and drove in a combined five runs. Regan Campbell and Casey Cole each went 2-4 at the dish where Campbell drove in five runs. Lindsay Campbell and Amy Sisson were the other Yellowjackets to have a multi hit game as each went 2-3 with two RBI’s for Campbell, one RBI for Sisson. Frosh Jodie Clarkson and Jennifer Schumacher each registered their first college hits and each drove in a run in the final game of the weekend.
The Jackets finished the round-robin tournament with a 3-2 record and could have won all five as they competed hard in each game. “As a coaching staff we are very pleased with our all-around play this weekend,” said associate head coach Don Stopa. “We have to clean up a few things and when we do, we can compete with anyone.”
The Jackets travel to Canton, Mo., on Tuesday, March 15th where they open Heart of America Athletic Conference play versus the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College. Game one of the double header is set for 3:00 p.m.
03-06-05 Jacket Softball Goes the Distance With Grand View
The 1-1 Graceland softball team returned to the diamond Sunday afternoon to take on the Vikings of Grand View College (Des Moines, Iowa). Game one of the twin bill would feature an eleven inning thriller that saw the Jackets fall short by a score of 9-8. Game One
Grand View 9
Graceland 8
The Jackets found themselves in a hole early in the contest as the Vikings scored four runs on five hits in the top of the first inning and they picked up a fifth in the second. The Jackets answered back in the second inning with three of their own runs that were the product of three back-to-back-to-back hits by seniors Sami Busick (Newtown, Mo), Casey Cole (Marshalltown, Iowa) and Regan Campbell (Creston, Iowa). Campbell drove in two of the runs while frosh Bryn DeGraw (Sherwood Park, Alberta) drove in the third.
In the bottom of the third the Jackets struck again and scored two more runs in an inning that saw the same three seniors produce hits along with senior Bobbie Sue Downs (Allerton, Iowa), who led off with a single of her own.
Both teams scored a pair in the fifth and the Jackets got their first lead in the game in the sixth when red-shirt freshman Jennifer DeHoedt (Russell, Iowa) hit a pinch hit single to score Cole who reached on a one-out double. The Vikings scored one in the seventh to tie things up and both teams would go scoreless through to the eleventh.
In the top of the eleventh the game went to the tie-breaker rule and each team started with a runner on second. Grand View scored one run on one hit in the top of the eleventh and the Jackets came close, loading up the bases with none out.
Freshman Amy Moran (Easton. Mo.) struck for the first Jacket out in the bottom of eleven then on a line drive to short by DeGraw, Cole got picked off for a game ending double play.
Senior pitcher Bobbie Sue Downs pitched the complete game for the Jackets and struck out four batters while walking zero. In 18 innings thus far Downs has remained steady in the circle and has not issued a walk to date.
“Bobbie Sue’s composure is no surprise to us and if we play defense behind her she will get a lot of wins this year,” said Head Coach Bill Dudek.
Game Two
Grand View 2
Graceland 0
Game two was a quick affair compared to the three and a quarter hour marathon in game one. Frosh pitcher Carrie Wilson (North Battleford, Sask.) went the distance, striking out three and walking one in the 2-0 loss. Wilson scattered five hits through the seven innings and faced only 13 batters in the final four innings.
Wilson kept the Jackets in the game by keeping the Vikings off the bases in game two and the Jacket offense managed to get runners on base but could not score anyone.
Bobbie Sue Downs led the way for Graceland as she went 3-3 with two doubles and a single. Casey Cole hit her third double of the day in game two and she also hit a single in the game. Regan Campbell registered the only other Graceland hit as she picked up a single to lead off the seventh inning.
The Jackets went 1-3 in their opening weekend and the coaching staff is optimistic because they faced two great teams and competed hard in each and every game. “This was a long weekend of games but we saw a lot of great things out of our team and we could have won all four,” said Dudek. “We have a few adjustments to make at the plate and once we do I think we have something special here.”
The Jackets will travel to Salina, Kan., on Friday, March 11th and 12th where they will play five games in a round robin tournament. Game times for Friday are at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with a semi final at 5 p.m. and a final at 7 p.m.
03-05-05 Opening Day For Jacket Softball
The Graceland University softball team took to the field for the first time in 2005 at home versus the Warriors of Waldorf College (Forest City, Iowa) on Saturday in Lamoni. The Warriors received votes on the national pre-season poll, so head coach Bill Dudek knew his team was in for some tough competition to start off the 2005 campaign. Game One
Graceland 3
Waldorf 2
In game one of the double-header, senior pitcher Bobbie Sue Downs (Allerton, Iowa) scattered seven hits over the seven inning game to pick up her first win of the season. Downs struck out two Warrior batters while walking none and pitched a near flawless game in the season opener. The Jackets played solid defense in the game and did not commit any fielding errors. Junior third baseman Kelsey MacKinnon (Chico, Ca. / Butte CC) led the team with 12 assists.
The Jackets struggled at the plate and only got one hit in the contest that came by the way of junior catcher Cassie Turner’s (Paso Robles, Ca. / Hartnell CC) bat. The Jackets relied on aggressive base running as they received seven walks by the Warriors starting pitcher and they capitalized on every Waldorf mistake.
“We didn’t hit the ball very well but we never gave up and we played solid defense,” said Coach Dudek. “If we play like that defensively, we have a chance to win every day.”
Game Two
Waldorf 9
Graceland 4
In game two the Jackets came out swinging and scored two runs in the first and second innings. Downs got the Jackets’ first hit of the game which was a triple that drove in MacKinnon, who reached after she got hit by a pitch. Downs scored on a single by frosh Jennifer Soukeroff (Castlegar, B.C.) who went 1-2 in the game.
In the second inning the Jackets scored two more as red-shirt frosh Jennifer DeHoedt (Russell, Iowa) opened the inning with a double and in an attempt to sacrifice bunt DeHoedt across to third, frosh Lindsay Campbell (North Battleford, Sask.) reached on an error by the catcher. Two sacrifice flies by freshmen Amy Moran (Easton, Mo.) and Bryn DeGraw (Sherwood Park, Alberta) scored the Jackets’ two runs.
The Yellowjackets appeared to be cruising through the third but after getting the first two batters out, the Jacket defense broke down and committed two errors that eventually led to four unearned Warrior runs. The momentum had changed and Waldorf went on to score four more runs in the fourth inning and they added another unearned run in the fifth frame.
The Jackets would only register four total hits in the game but they showed great discipline at the plate as they advanced on four walks dished out by the two warrior pitchers.
Frosh pitcher Carrie Wilson (North Battleford, Sask.) threw seven complete innings striking out six batters while giving up only four earned runs out of the nine scored.
“Carrie showed a lot of heart and battle as she came back and threw flawlessly in the final three innings, she didn’t let our mistakes affect her performance which is very good for a freshman in her first college start,” commented Associate Head Coach Don Stopa.
The Jackets played well in their first day out of 2005 and battled hard against a Waldorf team that has gotten some national recognition. The Graceland squad capitalized on some key Warrior mistakes in game one and Waldorf returned the favor in game two.
10-14-04 Softball “Pitches In” to the Community
PicturesThe Graceland University softball team got out their spatulas and fired up the grill for a weekend of volunteer work that helped raise money and awareness for the Lamoni Volunteer Fire Department and EMS.
Over the three days of September 24th to 26th the Jackets each worked three or four hour shifts totaling 30 working hours at the first annual Lamoni Fire and EMS slow-pitch tournament’s concession stand. The tournament was held at the home of Graceland softball, North Park in Lamoni. The ladies were there Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Decatur County Deputy Sheriff Ben Boswell, tournament director, was very happy to have the Graceland team pitch in and help the community. “The ladies did a great job and it helped me run a successful tournament,” said Boswell.
Monday afternoon after regular practice, the whole team pitched in again by picking up trash in and around the softball field at North Park.
10-03-04 Alumni Softball Game a Success
PhotosThe first ever Graceland alumni softball game was a success, with nine alumni women returning to Lamoni to play against the 2004-05 varsity team.
The alumni struck first with two early runs, but the varsity team came back to tie 2-2 and to take the game into an extra inning. In the top of the eighth inning, the varsity scored two runs, but the alumni were not to be beaten and scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to win the game.
Returning alumni included pitcher Dava (Nelson) Laxton, catcher Brooke Johnson, first base Tammy (Spickard) Meeker, second base Crissy (Nail) Wooderson, short stop Tracy (Schwab) Ballantyne, third base Sara Kelce, left field Alexandra VanEeghen, center field Leslea (Williams) McKillip and right field Courtney (Wooderson) Holt.
09-18-04 Softball Adds Alumni Game to Homecoming Weekend
Graceland softball coaches Bill Dudek and Don Stopa are working together to put a “Who’s Who” team of alumni softball players to take on the 2004-05 Yellowjackets on Sunday, October 3rd at 3:00 p.m. at North Park in Lamoni.
“This will be a fun game but some of the ladies that we have coming in were some of the best Graceland has ever seen,” said Dudek. “It should be a good match-up to watch the alumni play against the current team.”
If any former Yellowjackets are interested in joining the action please contact Duke at 866-GRACELAND ext. 5319 or Stopa at ext. 5262.
06-07-04 Four Softball Players Earn All-America Scholar-Athlete Awards
Four Graceland University players earned 2004 Daktronics-NAIA Softball Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2004 spring season. Seniors Brooke Johnson and Alexandra VanEeghen, and juniors Amy Sisson and Bobbie Sue Downs all were named to the national academic team.
Brooke Johnson, from Clive, Iowa, lead the team in batting with a .367 average, with 90 at bats, 33 hits, 12 runs scored, 5 doubles and 16 RBI. Johnson also lead the team with three triples for the season. She was also recognized as a Second Team Heart of America All-Conference catcher. She graduated in May with a degree in communications at Graceland.
Alexandra VanEeghen, from Lamoni, Iowa graduated in May with a degree in accounting and business. Alex played in all 29 games this season for the Jackets. At second base she had 66 put outs, 36 assists and just 8 errors this season.
Amy Sisson also played in all 29 games this season for Graceland. Sisson, from Richmond, Mo., batted .289 this season in 83 at bats with 24 hits, 14 RBI and a .344 on base percentage. She stole 11 bases and had a .958 fielding percentage from the outfield. Sisson is majoring in athletic training and physical education.
Bobbie Sue Downs pitched 98.1 innings in 15 appearances with one shut out. She struck out 37 batters and held a 4.67 ERA. Downs, from Allerton, Iowa, batted .297 this season. In 91 at bats, Downs had 27 hits, 16 runs scored, 13 RBI and a .341 slugging percentage. Bobbie Sue is majoring in accounting and business administration at Graceland.
The Yellowjackets were 9-20 overall and 4-16 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
05-11-04 Two GU Softball Players Earn All-Conference
Senior catcher Brooke Johnson and junior shortstop Casey Cole were awarded second team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference honors for the 2003-04 softball season.
Johnson, from West Des Moines, Iowa, lead the team in batting with a .367 average, with 90 at bats, 33 hits, 12 runs scored, 5 doubles and 16 RBI. Johnson also lead the team with three triples for the season.
Cole, from Marshalltown, Iowa, batted .293 with 82 at bats, 24 hits, 9 runs scored, 3 doubles and 18 RBI. Cole also smashed two homeruns this season.
Team awards for the Yellowjackets, who were 9-20 overall and 4-16 in the HAAC, are as follows:
Most Valuable Player: Brooke Johnson
Most Inspirational: Brooke Johnson
Most Valuable Infielder: Casey Cole
Most Valuable Outfielder: Sam Busick
Rookie of the Year: Lauren Way
Most Improved: Alexandra VanEeghen
Most Valuable Pitcher: Bobbie Sue Downs and Sara Kelce
To end the season, Coach Bill Dudek offered these words about the 2003-04 Yellowjacket softball team,
“Every now and then in a coaching career a special TEAM comes around. You don’t know when, where or why. This year’s Lady Jackets were one special team.
Throughout the year, this team was hardly ever out of a game, even playing the best teams in the league down to the seventh innings many times, but never quite able to get the break to get the win.
The team was full of character and a positive attitude. Do your best. Try hard and never quit. Give your best. Have heart and soul. Keep spirits up. Respecting your coaches and teammates, even when you are not winning is hard, but the 2004 Lady Jackets relentlessly exemplified these traits throughout the entire season.
This group of young women was an example of a TEAM at its best.
I never judge a team on how many wins they have, or the stats of the season, but where these ladies are at in 5-10 years. The character and class this group has had will show up later in life and they will remember their efforts and will be successful in life, this I am sure.” ---- Duke
05-03-04 Stopa Named Associate Head Coach at Graceland University
On Monday, Graceland University Director of Athletics Dan Hanton named Don Stopa the Associate Head Softball Coach for the 2004-05 Yellowjackets. Don has spent two years as the Assistant Head Baseball Coach for Graceland, but will now share time at the top with Head Softball Coach Bill Dudek.
“I am very excited about this team and the program,” says Stopa. “I feel that with my 14 years of coaching experience, I have a lot to offer. The Heart of America Athletic Conference will see a very different Graceland University softball team in 2005. With the core of returning players and those that I am recruiting now, GU will have a shot at a HAAC title soon.”
Prior to his coaching stint with Graceland baseball, Stopa was an assistant coach in charge of pitchers for three seasons with the NJCAA Norsemen of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla.
He has also spent nine years coaching along the West Coast of the United States and Canada, with elite club teams in Vancouver and Seattle.
“Don is a talented young man that is excited about his new position as associate head coach,” says Hanton. “He is a great recruiter who has done an outstanding job with the men's baseball team and I expect the same recruiting results for the women's team. He will be a great addition to Coach Dudek's staff.”
Stopa’s biggest contribution to Graceland’s 2003-04 baseball team came by the way of recruiting. The Jackets’ baseball team lost 13 players to graduation and Stopa was a big part in replacing all of those players and then some.
“I have already started recruiting for softball and I am eager to sign some of the players I am talking to,” says Stopa.
Coach Stopa originally hails from White Rock, British Columbia, Canada where he grew up and his family still resides.
Dudek and Stopa will be assisted by Amy Woodruff, who is also the Sports Information Director at Graceland University.
05-03-04 GU Softball Players Control Player of the Week Awards
Bobbie Sue Downs and Amy Sisson earned Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards for games played during April 26-May 1.
Bobbie Sue Downs, a five-foot-six-inch junior pitcher/third baseman from Allerton, Iowa, is the Conference Pitcher of the Week. Downs worked 14 innings for the Yellowjackets, allowing two earned runs on 16 hits and had a 1.00 ERA this week. Downs finished the year with 37 strikeouts in 92.2 innings.
Amy Sisson, a five-foot-two-inch junior outfielder from Richmond, Mo., is the Conference Player of the Week. Sisson was 8-for-15 (.533) this week knocking in 5 runs and scoring two more leading the Yellowjackets to a 2-2 record this week.
The Graceland softball team finished the season 10-19 overall and 5-15 in the conference.
04-05-04 Softball Drops Two to Lindenwood
The Graceland University softball team lost 2-3 and 0-6 to Lindenwood University in Lamoni, Iowa on Monday afternoon. The Jackets are currently 0-6 in the conference, but look to improve on their record Wednesday afternoon in Lamoni against Missouri Valley College. Games begin at 1:00 p.m. at the park.02-02-04 Softball Ranked 10th in Preseason Polls
The 2004 Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason softball coaches’ poll has been released and Graceland is picked to finish tenth. The poll shows Culver-Stockton as the favorite with six first-place votes and 96 points, followed by MidAmerica Nazarene with 93 points and four first-place votes. Lindenwood is third (78 points) and Central Methodist is fourth (70) and captured the other first-place vote. Graceland had 29 points for tenth place.Head Graceland softball coach Bill Dudek and the 2004 Lady Yellowjackets will begin their season on March 17 at home against Lindenwood University. The first game will begin at 2:00 p.m. The 2003 Graceland softball team finished its season with an 19-21 record and was 8-12 against conference foes (tied for 8th).
| 1 | Culver-Stockton |
| 2 | MidAmerica Nazarene |
| 3 | Lindenwood |
| 4 | Central Methodist |
| 5 | Evangel |
| 6 | Benedictine |
| 7 | Baker |
| 8 | William Jewell |
| 9 | Missouri Valley |
| 10 | Graceland |
| 11 | Avila |
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director
641.784.5318
mshelton@graceland.edu
