WINONA LAKE, Ind. - A complete-game performance from Jeri Ellis helped Grace's softball team to a split with St. Francis on Saturday.

After Grace lost the opener 14-2, Ellis's arm propelled the Lady Lancers to a 4-1 victory to end the day.

Grace struggled out of the gate against USF. The Lady Lancers committed several untimely errors in the field, and the Cougars' bats were sharp at the onset.

The Cougars racked up 14 runs between the second and fifth innings, ending the game prematurely due to the run rule.

Ellis drove in the only runs of the game for Grace, finishing 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Laikyn Lowe walked and scored a run, and Olivia Hess also walked and plated.

In the second game, the majority of the runs were plated in the second inning. USF scored first in the top of the second to take a 1-0 lead which proved to be short-lived.

Lowe and Hess reached base to begin the second inning, and the pair came home to score after a throwing error by the Cougars.

Ellis helped her own cause with a double on the next at-bat, scoring Bethany Gardner to provide Grace a 3-1 lead.

Ellis took care of the rest from the mound. Although USF had a hit in each of the next three innings, Grace's defense kept the Cougars from scoring. Lowe completed a 6-3 double play in the fifth to end a potential rally by USF.

Ellis seemed to get better as the game progressed, mowing down USF 1-2-3 in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the win. For the game, she allowed six scattered hits with one walk. She needed just 81 pitches to complete the game.

Jessica Kaurich hit 3 for 3 with an RBI, and Ellis and Jaden Cardoso each finished 2 for 4. Gardner, Ellis and Britney Young all doubled in the game.

The Lady Lancers are back home on Tuesday with a doubleheader against Mt. Vernon Nazarene starting at 3 p.m.