GULF SHORES, Ala. - Grace's softball team dropped a pair of contests in Alabama to close out their spring break trip.

The Lady Lancers played Faulkner and LSU-Alexandria close but were unable to come away with a victory, falling 5-3 and 5-4 respectively. 

In the first game the Lady Lancers fell behind early when LSU-Alexandria (4-8) took a 1-0 lead in the home half of the first inning.

Grace (4-11) was hitless through three innings but finally broke through in the fourth. Kaitlyn Heffner got the Lady Lancers' first hit and scored when Jessica Kaurich hit a fly ball to right field.

The Generals quickly regained the lead with two runs in their half of the inning.

Grace had a two out rally in the fifth that brought them back even at 3-3. Heffner drove in Olivia Scarbrough and Bethany Gardner with a hard hit ball to center field that the Generals struggled to field.

The Lady Lancers grabbed their first lead of the game in the sixth inning. Taylor Graber, who was pinch running for Kaurich, was pushed across the plate when Carly Ruiz hit a fly ball to center field. As a result Grace held a 4-3 lead heading into the the bottom of the sixth.

LSU-Alexandria tied the game in the sixth inning, and despite getting two base runners Grace was unable to strike back. The Lady Lancers got the first two outs in the bottom of the seventh but a pair of hits, including a walk-off triple, ended the game 5-4 in favor of the Generals.

The Lady Lancers had nine hits in the first game but stranded 10 base runners.

The Lady Lancers got off to a hot start in the second game against Faulkner (3-9). Grace plated three runs in the first to take an early lead. 

Britney Young hit a double that scored Heffner, and then Graber scored on a passed ball. Ruiz picked up her second RBI in as many games with a sacrifice hit that scored Young to give the Lady Lancers the 3-0 lead.

After the first inning explosion, the Lady Lancers went three innings without reaching base as the Eagles slowly chipped away at the lead.

Grace had runners on first and second in the bottom of the fifth but were unable to capitalize. Grace would surrender the lead in the next frame as Faulkner scored twice to go up 4-3.

Grace would not threaten the Eagles' lead in the remaining two innings and fell 5-3.

The Lady Lancers only managed three hits in their second outing of the day.

Ruiz went 2 for 6 at the plate and drove in two runs. Dori Knight pitched seven innings over the course of the two games and had five strikeouts.

The Lady Lancers return home to play their first games of the season at Coach Phil Dick Field. Grace will take on Crossroads League opponent Bethel on Tuesday at 3 p.m.