(Peru, Neb.) – On April 14, Graceland (Iowa) beat the softball team in a Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) in both games at the Centennial Complex in Peru, Neb. The first game was 7-2 and the second game was 3-2.
 
Graceland improved to 14-23 overall and 6-14 in the Heart North Division and the Bobcats fell to 14-20 overall and 8-11 in the Heart North Division.
 
Game One
 
In the top of the first inning Graceland scored four runs to open the game.
 
In the bottom of the first after an out Alyiah Franco (Syracuse, Utah) singled to the short. After another out, Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) and Jerica German(Cortland) both got walked as the bases were now loaded. Carli Kohout (Cortland) singled through the hole at shortstop as Franco scored and the base runners advanced. Alaina Lacy (Lincoln) reached on a walk bringing in Farrell to score. The score at the end of the first was 4-2 Graceland.
 
For the next five innings it would be a pitching duel between the two teams as no one would score a run in that time.

Farrell_Tyler
Tyler Farrell


 
In the top of the seventh inning, Graceland would extend their lead by gaining three runs in the inning to make the score 7-2.
 
In the bottom of the seventh Peru State bats came alive but were unable to score any runs.
 
Graceland scored their seven runs on eight hits while committing zero errors. Peru State scored their two runs on eight hits while committing three errors.
 
Franco and Farrell led the team with two hits apiece. Kohout and Lacy led the team with one RBI each.
 
Alana Krieser (Lincoln) pitched a complete game and earned the loss. Krieser pitched seven innings and allowed eight hits, six earned and struck out five Yellowjackets.

GRACELAND GAME TWO GAME BOOK
 
Game Two
 
Graceland would strike first with one run in the top of the second, one run in the top of the third, and one in the top of the fourth to make the score 3-0 going into the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
After an out in the bottom of the fourth, Franco doubled to deep right-center. Morgan Wilke (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a two-run homer to cut the Graceland advantage to one at 3-2.
 
The rest of the game would be a pitching duel once again as the Bobcats would only get one more hit in the contest.

Franco_Alyiah
Alyiah Franco

 
Graceland scored their three runs on six hits while committing zero errors. Peru State scored their two runs on three hits while committing three errors.
 
Franco led the team with two hits as Wilke added one. Wilke had game high two RBIs in the game.
 
Layla Worthington (Holladay, Utah) pitched a complete game and was tagged for the loss. Worthington pitched seven innings and allowed six hits, three earned runs, and struck out three Graceland players.

GRACELAND GAME TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
On Sunday, April 18, the softball team will be at home versus Benedictine (Kan.) (24-14, 12-10). The first pitch for the double header will be at 1 p.m. Also, in addition it will be senior day for three softball players.
 
On Thursday, April 22, the softball team will play Grand View (Iowa) (20-8, 14-2) at home. The first pitch is scheduled to be at 2 p.m. for the double header.