WINONA LAKE, Ind. — Some late game magic earned Grace College softball a win in the second game of the day against Spring Arbor Tuesday afternoon at the Miller Athletic Complex.

Both teams struggled to string hits together in the first game. Grace (22-18, 13-9 Crossroads League) had two runners in scoring position in the first inning, but they came away with nothing.

Elaina McClellan started the game in the circle for the Lady Lancers. She pitched three full shutout innings, allowing just two hits before being pulled in the middle of the fourth.

The Lady Cougars (27-19, 17-9 CL) had an opportunity to score the first run of the game in the top of the fourth. Two Grace errors and a walk to start the inning gave Spring Arbor the bases loaded with no outs. Coach Heather Johnson decided to make a call to the bullpen and brought in Chandler Elliott who forced a pop-out and an unconventional 5-2-3 double play to get out of the inning unscathed.

Spring Arbor pushed the first run of the game across in the sixth inning. The inning was started by a leadoff bunt by Megan Labut. Labut was then moved over on a sacrifice bunt. A two out single by the Cougars was enough to give Spring Arbor a 1-0 lead.

The Lancers started off their half of the sixth with an infield single by Hannah Herbster who advanced to second on a throwing error. Herbster moved over to third on a groundout with one away. Grace was unable to capitalize though as Spring Arbor slammed the door shut to end the inning.

A leadoff double in the top of the seventh allowed Spring Arbor to add an insurance run to increase their lead to 2-0. Grace was unable to mount any sort of comeback, snapping their winning streak at six.

Clarissa Knight produced two hits for the Lady Lancers in the loss.

Spring Arbor came out threatening in the first inning. The Cougars had a chance to score with runners on first and third with two outs. The Spring Arbor base runner faked a stolen base forcing a Grace throw to second, causing the runner on third to break for home. Luckily for the Lancers, the throw from Knight beat the runner just in time to get the out.

The Lancers scored the first run of the game in the third inning on an RBI single from Kati Gregory as she sent a blooper over the first baseman's head.

Not to be outdone, Spring Arbor answered by scoring two runs of their own in the top of fourth. The Cougars produced their runs on four hits and one Lancer error. The damage was done when Spring Arbor had runners on second and third. A single scored the runner on third, but a wild throw that went out of play allowed the second run to score.

Grace had an opportunity to tie the game in the fifth with runners on third and first, but both runners were left stranded.

In the sixth inning, Kyleigh Garner doubled to give the Lancers a runner in scoring position. With two outs, an error by Spring Arbor allowed the run to score to tie the game at 2. A single by Morgan Cody gave the Lancers runners on first and second. Herbster singled up the middle, scoring one run to give the Lancers a 3-2 lead going into the seventh.

Allison Franklin earned the win, closing out the seventh inning preventing a Cougar comeback. Hannah England started the game in the circle and pitched five innings giving up one earned run.

Herbster had a three hit, one RBI performance in the second game. McClellan had two hits of her own for the Lancer offense.

The Lady Lancers will close out their home stand Thursday in a makeup game against the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan (RV). First pitch will be at 3 p.m. at the Miller Athletic Complex.