Wildcats Sweep Graceland, Cap Series with 23-1 Rout
The Culver-Stockton Wildcats pulled out the brooms and swatted away the Graceland Yellowjackets, sweeping the series four games to none. This marks the Wildcats’ first series sweep of the season and their first conference series win.
Game 3: Wildcats Rally for a 6-3 Win
(Photo Courtesy of C-SC Athletics)
The Wildcats took Game 3 despite an early lead from the Yellowjackets. Graceland struck first in the second inning when Knutsen singled for an RBI, bringing in Bauer. Woodruff followed with an RBI single to drive in Connell. In the third, the Yellowjackets extended their lead to 3-0 as Olmeda singled, advanced to second, and drove in Tanabe.
Culver-Stockton responded in the bottom of the third when Kannon Kirk launched a solo home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The Wildcats then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth after RBIs from Bryan Barretto, Jeremiah Morris, and Ryan Osso, making it 4-3. In the sixth, Barretto struck again with a two-RBI single, securing the final score of 6-3.
Cole Parkhill pitched a complete game for the Wildcats, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out seven. He improved to 2-2 on the season. Graceland’s Gabriel Perez started on the mound, going 4.1 innings with six hits, four earned runs, five walks, and two strikeouts, taking the loss and falling to 2-6.
Game 4: Wildcats’ Offense Erupts in 23-1 Blowout
Culver-Stockton’s bats exploded in Game 4, overwhelming Graceland’s pitching staff. The Wildcats put up an astonishing 11 runs in the first inning alone, highlighted by grand slams from Jeremiah Morris and Jaison Andujar. They followed up with six more runs in the second, including a three-run homer by Noble Oxford and another by Jordan Scott, extending the lead to 17-0. By the third inning, the Wildcats were ahead 22-0.
(Photo Courtesy of C-SC Athletics)
Graceland finally got on the board in the fourth inning when J.D. Woodruff hit a sacrifice fly, bringing in Javin Stevenson for an unearned run. However, the Yellowjackets found no further offense. The Wildcats capped off their scoring in the sixth with a solo home run from Kendall Rivero, sealing the dominant 23-1 victory.
Josh Martini started for the Wildcats, delivering five strong innings, allowing three hits and one unearned run while striking out five. Jared Marty closed the game, pitching two innings, walking one, and striking out two. Martini earned the win, improving to 2-0, while Marty recorded the save.
Graceland cycled through seven pitchers, even resorting to position player J.D. Woodruff for relief. In total, the Yellowjackets’ pitching staff surrendered 22 hits, 23 runs (18 earned), nine walks, and recorded only five strikeouts. Zach Tanabe took the loss, dropping to 1-2 on the season.
Looking Ahead
The Wildcats improve to 12-16 overall and 6-10 in conference play. They will remain in Canton this weekend to take on conference leader Grand View, aiming to build on their momentum against the top-seeded Vikings.
