WESTFIELD, Ind. - Grace's baseball team produced a win and a tie against Cleary on Friday.
The games, held at Westfield's Grand Park, were delayed multiple times due to rain and lightning. Grace won the opener in a slugfest 15-10, but the second game was ended prematurely in a 2-2 tie due to weather.
Austin Baker had a remarkable game in the opener, going 4-of-4 with 2 home runs, 2 doubles and 8 RBIs.
The first inning showcased nine combined runs between the teams. Grace scored four in the top of the first, but Cleary responded with five more.
The Lancers' production continued into the second inning. Shay Hepler belted a solo home run, and Baker lofted a three-run bomb in the inning, giving Grace an 8-5 advantage.
The game struggled to maintain pace as multiple lightning delays halted the action.
Grace pulled ahead 11-6 after a three-run sixth, but Cleary battled back to cut the Lancers' cushion to 11-9 entering the final inning.
In the seventh, however, Grace put the game out of reach with four more runs. Cleary was only able to respond with one as Grace won by five.
Hepler hit 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs, recording a triple and a homer. Xavier Harris also had two hits and two RBIs, adding Grace's fourth home run, and Jason Stevens had a hit and two RBIs.
Gavin Bussard, Cameron Maxwell and Harris each plated three times, and Mitchell Enyart scored twice.
David Anderson was the winning pitcher of record, tossing four innings while allowing a run with four strikeouts.
The second game was called with one inning remaining. Scottie Clark tossed Grace's side of the pitchers' duel. He allowed just one earned run in six innings with three hits and two strikeouts from the mound.
Grace scored first in the opening inning, but Cleary went on top 2-1 with a two-run third. The Lancers tied the game in the top of the fourth in what turned out to be the final run of the game.
The game was called with an inning to play, leaving both teams to get credit for a tie.
Maxwell was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, and Hunter Ackerman had a double and a run scored. Harris tallied an RBI, and Bussard notched a hit and a run.
The Lancers will finish up Finals Week before embarking on their spring break trip to Vero Beach, Fla. Grace will play at historic Dodgertown for a six-game stint starting on March 5.
