PULASKI, Tenn. - Grace's softball team split a series at Tennessee-Southern over the weekend.
Both teams won two games apiece over the two-day, four-game series.
The first day saw Grace and UT-Southern split a doubleheader. The Firehawks won 9-6 in the opener with Grace finding revenge 14-5 in the second game.
Grace had more hits (12) than UTS (10) in the first game. But UTS made good on its opportunities, including a key five-run fourth to seize the lead.
The Lady Lancers pulled ahead early in the game with three runs in the second inning; Jaden Cardoso and Izabela Duran had RBIs in the inning.
But the Firehawks pounded out nine runs over the next three innings to take the lead for good.
Grace did its best to rally thanks to runs scored by Taylor Hodgen and Kendra Arnold. Jessica Kaurich also homered in the sixth inning, but it was not enough.
Hodgen hit 2 for 3 with two runs scored, Cardoso had 1 run, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base, and Bree Gardinier hit 2 for 4 with a run scored.
The Lady Lancers more than made up for that in the second game of the twin bill. Grace had four extra-base hits and 15 hits overall in a 14-5 rout.
Grace scored 13 of its 14 runs in just two innings. Jeri Ellis belted a grand slam in the second inning to give the Lady Lancers the lead, and Grace never looked back.
The third inning saw Grace plate seven times. Duran, Gardinier and Bethany Gardner each had an RBI double, and Ellis, Hodgen and Carly Ruiz also had RBI singles.
Grace found its 14th run in the fifth inning when Montana Brincks drove in Cassandra Hayes. Grace ended the game early due to the run rule.
Ellis had 2 hits, 2 runs and 5 RBIs, and Brincks hit 2 for 3 with two runs. Gardner finished with 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBIs from the leadoff position, and Hayes, Gardinier and Hodgen all hit 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Duran scored twice and drove in three runs.
Kierstin Fickas pitched all five innings, striking out three and allowing four earned runs.
The final day of the series also saw a split. Grace won 8-7 in the first game with UTS winning 5-1 to close out the series.
Grace jumped ahead in the opener with three early runs. Ellis, Hayes and Duran all had RBI hits during the first two innings.
In the fifth inning, Kendra Arnold had an RBI single to hand Grace a 4-0 lead.
Grace tried to break the game open in the sixth inning with four more runs. Jessica Kaurich and Gardinier each drew bases-loaded walks, and Hodgen drove in two runs with a single.
But the Firehawks had fight left. UTS used a three-run triple to spark a rally in the sixth. In the seventh, UTS nearly pulled off a two-out rally with three clutch singles.
The Firehawks had runners on second and third while trailing by just one. But relief pitcher Madison Bremer came in to record the final out of the game to secure Grace's 8-7 win.
Duran had 2 hits, 1 run, 1 steal and 1 RBI, Gardner hit 2 for 5 with two runs scored, and Ellis scored two runs, drove in another and pitched the first 6.2 innings to record the victory.
In the second game, Grace had eight hits — same as UTS. But the Lady Lancers could only translate those hits into one run in a 5-1 defeat.
Grace's only run came off a sacrifice fly by Ellis to score Duran, but the Lady Lancers were retired before the rally could be built further.
Gardner and Ruiz each hit 2 for 4, and Duran doubled and scored a run.
The Lady Lancers' next trip will begin in Georgia at Brenau on March 8.
