MOUNT VERNON, Ohio –
Xavier Harris' record-tying home run was not enough as Grace's baseball team fell to Mount Vernon Nazarene in Saturday's nine-inning affair.
The Lancers were unable to put away their opponent after jumping out to an early 4-0 lead. Mount Vernon won the game and the series with a sacrifice fly to center field in the ninth inning, beating Grace 6-5.
Xavier Harris set the tone for Grace early in the game. He hit a two-run home run in the first inning to left field. His 10th home run of the season tied a 34-year-old program record for a season, set by Greg Straits in 1983.
Grace tacked on two more runs in the third inning. A wild throw allowed
Jamar Bray to score from first.
Chase Baker followed with an RBI groundout to help the Lancers take a commanding 4-0 lead.
Mount Vernon's offense woke up in the bottom of the fifth. The Cougars pounced on
Joe Dougherty as three straight singles loaded the bases. A wild pitch, a fielder's choice and a double tied the game 4-4.
It didn't take long for Grace to regain its lead after
Hunter Ackerman sent a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence in the top of the sixth.
The Lancers held their lead until the bottom of the seventh; MVNU's Jaime Montero tied the game again with a solo home run over the right field wall. The game remained tied going into the ninth inning, setting the stage for the walkoff.
Grace couldn't produce a hit in its half of the ninth. MVNU doubled to start the bottom of the inning; two walks loaded the bases with one out. The Cougars ended the game with sacrifice fly, leading MVNU to a 6-5 victory.
Bray led the Lancers with two hits, and Harris had 3 RBIs, 2 walks and 2 runs. Dougherty pitched effectively deep into the ballgame. In eight innings pitched, he gave up six runs on nine hits.
Grace will look to rebound when they travel to Spring Arbor to play another nine-inning game on Monday. First pitch takes place at 3 p.m.
