MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - A doubleheader went against Grace's softball team on Saturday at Mt. Vernon Nazarene.

Grace was unable to take down the Cougars, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25. The Lady Lancers fell 3-0 and 9-1 in Ohio.

The opener was a true pitchers' duel. The teams combined for 10 hits and three runs in the seven-inning affair.

Jeri Ellis allowed just one earned run across her complete game with six hits and a walk allowed.

MVNU did manage to score a pair of unearned runs, benefitting from Grace errors in the first and fifth innings to plate three total runs.

Grace's chances to score were limited. The Lady Lancers moved a runner into scoring position during the third, fifth and sixth innings. But each time Grace came up empty for a potential run-scoring hit.

Bethany Gardner had one hit and one stolen base from the leadoff position, and Ellis, Bree Gardinier and Bela Duran also had one hit apiece.

In the second game, Grace had seven hits but just one run to show for it.

The Cougars grabbed an early lead with five runs in the first three innings.

Grace pushed across its only run of the doubleheader during the third inning; Hayes singled and eventually scored on a ground ball from Carly Ruiz.

The Cougars generated four more runs in the sixth inning to pull away and secure the run-rule victory.

Ellis pitched again in game two, throwing 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Hayes and Ruiz both had a double, and Hayes hit 2 for 3 with a run scored.

The Lady Lancers will have three series on the road next week to end the regular season. Grace will play at No. 8 Indiana Wesleyan on Tuesday, St. Francis on Friday and No. 17 Marian on Saturday.