MARION, Ind. - On a chilly day to kick off Crossroads League play, Grace's baseball team dropped a pair against #RV Indiana Wesleyan, 16-0 and 3-2.

The Lancers struggled to produce offense in the opener, generating five baserunners for the game. 

Sean Gannon singled in the second, but was nabbed attempting a steal. He later reached base on a hit by pitch in the fifth.

In the sixth, pinch hitter Elijah Bruns led off the inning with a walk. Keenan LeBlanc followed with a single, but the threat was contained before a runner could come around to score.  

The Wildcats scored early and added to their lead to pull away.

In the second game, Grace outhit Indiana Wesleyan 7-6, but the final score favored the Wildcats 3-2. 

Maximo De Leon and Jeff Pawlik each singled in the first, but both were unable to move into scoring position. 

The Wildcats scored two in their half of the first to take the early lead 2-0. The scoreline would remain that way until the fifth.

Sam Newkirk added a two-out single in the fourth, but nothing more. 

IWU tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth, which would prove to be the difference in the game.

Grace's bats came alive in the sixth, with three hits in the inning. De Leon reached on a leadoff single, and Josh Cosme followed with a single of his own. A double play subdued the rally, but Sam Newkirk stepped up to the plate and belted a two-run shot over the fence to bring the Lancers within a run.

The rally came up just short as a 1-2-3 seventh inning ended the game.

Evan Etchison pitched 6.0 innings for the Lancers. He allowed three runs on six hits with three strikeouts in the loss. 

De Leon went 2 for 3 with a run scored, and Newkirk added 2 hits, 2 RBIs and 1 run. 

The Lancers will finish their series against the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon. The doubleheader will be played in Logansport, Ind., starting at 1 p.m.