FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Grace's baseball team took one out of four games in a weekend series with St. Francis.
Grace and USF split the opening set of games on Friday with both games being decided late.
The Cougars won the opener 4-2 with all six runs being scored in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.
The game was scoreless through six innings thanks to sharp pitching and strong defense. Grace scored the initial run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI double from Jeff Pawlik.
The Cougars responded immediately in the top of the eighth, generating three runs to take the lead for good.
A double from Austin Carr drove in Chris Griffin in the bottom of the eighth, but Grace was unable to score again and settled for the loss.
Houston Haney pitched eight innings, giving up three runs with five strikeouts. Griffin reached base four times, and Carr and Alex Rich each had two hits.
Grace found revenge in the second game, winning a walkoff 8-7. The Cougars tried to assume control early by opening up a 4-0 lead, but Grace had other plans.
Houston Haney got the Lancers on the scoreboard in the fourth, doubling to score Griffin. Haney scored again later in the inning, crossing home plate after a passed ball.
In the bottom of the field, Griffin launched a two-run home run over the left-field fence to cut USF's lead to 5-4. Pawlik plated in the sixth to tie the game.
The Cougars tried to pull ahead with a single run in the seventh and eighth, but each time Grace had an answer. Timely hitting from Carr and Grant Buschman kept the game even.
Neither side scored in the ninth, sending the game into the 10th frame. In the bottom of the 10th, Haney reached second base. Sam Newkirk then singled him in for the walkoff win.
Griffin batted 2 for 6 with three runs and two RBIs, and Carr hit 2 for 4.
The Cougars clinched the series with a Saturday sweep. USF won the first game 14-6 and the series finale 5-1.
Nick Stoltzfus had two strong stints in relief on Saturday. He did not allow an earned run to score in four combined innings of relief.
The Lancers will return to action next weekend, playing a four-game series at Spring Arbor.
