UPLAND, Ind. - Grace's softball team came up short in a doubleheader at Taylor on Thursday.
The Trojans won 5-2 and 9-0, handing the Lady Lancers (7-10, 4-2 CL) their first losses of the Crossroads League season.
Grace's offense was quiet in the opener until the final inning. The Trojans built a five-run lead after six innings, putting Grace into a late hole.
The Lady Lancers showed fight until the end, however. The team began the seventh inning with a walk and a double from Cassandra Hayes. Bree Gardinier followed that up with an RBI single, and Tia O'Connor also drove in a run on the next at-bat.
But the Lady Lancers' potential rally was snuffed out on the next play with a game-ending double play in the infield.
Jeri Ellis pitched the entire game, giving up two earned runs on nine hits. She also had 1 hit, 1 run and 1 walk at the plate to continue her strong play on the season.
The Lady Lancers were unable to score in the finale. Grace walked four times, but the team struggled to find a run-producing hit. The Trojans managed to end the game early thanks to a six-run outburst in the first inning.
O'Connor hit 1 for 2, Jessica Kaurich was 1 for 1 with a walk, and Bethany Gardner hit 1 for 3.
The Lady Lancers will continue league play next week with a doubleheader on Tuesday at Goshen.