WINONA LAKE, Ind. - After a late rally helped clinch a win over Spring Arbor on Friday night, Grace College's softball team used a similar script in a pair of victories over Bethel on Saturday afternoon.

In game one, the Lancers (9-22, 8-18 Crossroads League) gunned down the game tying run at third base to hold on for a narrow 4-3 victory. In the second game the Lancers rattled off four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 7-4 come from behind win.

With today's results, Grace opens up a two game advantage over St. Francis for the final spot in the Crossroads League Tournament.

The Lancers jumped out to a first inning lead over the Pilots (4-28, 3-19 CL) in game one. Jeri Ellis got on board with a one-out single and was immediately brought in to score when Cassie Hayes doubled into left field.

Bethel responded with a run of their own to tie the game in the top of the second inning, but it did not take Grace long to muster a response.

In the home half of the inning Ellis drove in Laikyn Lowe and Taylor Hodgen and later was brought in on another RBI from Hayes as the Lancers lead reached 4-1 in the second frame.

The Pilots stranded a pair of runners in the third inning and the Lancers had runners in the third and fourth but neither squad could find a run.

Bethel had runners on first and second with no outs in the fifth inning but Ellis used a strikeout, a groundout and a flyout to escape the top of the inning unharmed.

Bethel cut into the lead by a run in the sixth inning and entered the final frame down 4-1.

After a leadoff out, two straight Bethel batters earned a walk as signs of life seemed to show for the Pilot squad. 

The Lancers appeared to record the second out of the inning on a fielders' choice at third base, but an obstruction call by the base umpire left the runner safe as Bethel loaded the bases with one out.

The next Pilot batter hit a fly ball to Grace's center field Kyrah Lewis. Lewis fired a laser to home plate narrowly missing an out at the plate. After receiving the throw home, Bree Gardinier alertly saw a runner, which represented the tying run, trying to advance to third base and threw over to Tia O'Connor who applied the tag to secure the 4-3 victory for Grace.

Ellis had a loaded stat line in game one. The two-way player pitched all seven innings, recording three strikeouts and allowing just one earned run. On the offensive side she played a part in all four Grace runs, scoring twice and driving in two other players.

In the second game it would be Bethel who laid claim to an early lead. The Pilots plated three runs in the first inning but were matched by Grace in the bottom half of the frame.

Gardinier had an RBI single that drove in Ellis and Tia O'Connor used savvy base running to score on the same play. Montana Brincks then hit a double to the left field wall that scored Gardinier. All three Lancers runs were plated with two outs.

After the offensive showcase in the first inning, both squads went quiet as a lone Bethel score in the top of the third was the only scoring the game would see until the bottom of the sixth.

Trailing by one run in the sixth inning Hayes started a Grace rally with a one-out single and was pinch run for by Kali Kahalekomo. O'Connor then doubled to left field and Kahalekomo made use of her speed sliding into home plate under the tag of the Bethel catcher to tie the game at four all.

Gardinier continued the new found momentum for Grace with an RBI that brought in O'Connor for the would-be game winning run. The final two runs of the inning would come via Carly Ruiz whose two RBI single put Grace ahead 7-4 entering the seventh.

The Lancers' defense wasted little time putting the game to rest in the top of the seventh as the Pilots went down in order and the Lancer secured the 7-4 victory and wrapped up the four game season sweep over Bethel.

O'Connor and Brincks each picked up two hits and an RBI in the game. Gardinier also had a pair of hits to go along with two RBIs of her own.

Alyssa Swangin pitched six innings in relief and did not give up an earned run in her outing.

Grace will return to action on Tuesday as they host Taylor at Coach Phil Dick Field at 3 p.m.