HUNTINGTON, Ind. - Grace College's softball team picked up a shutout victory to split a doubleheader with Huntington on Friday afternoon.

The Lancers (10-25, 9-21 Crossroads League) were bolstered in game one by an outstanding performance in the circle from Jeri Ellis. The senior pitcher hurled all seven shutout innings, as Grace picked up the 2-0 win.

The Foresters (17-23, 13-17 CL) bounced back to take a 5-0 victory in game two.

In game one, the first 11 batters were sent down in order, before Huntington picked up the first hit of the game with a two-out single. A ground ball from the Foresters resulted in the third out of the inning.

Laikyn Lowe started the third inning for the Lancers with a leadoff walk. Montana Brincks laid down a bunt to move Lowe to second, and an Abbie Rymers single put runners on the corners. Taylor Hodgen then loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch.

The Lancers jumped out to the lead when Cassie Hayes hit a single to left field that plated Lowe and Rymers.

Huntington tried to match the Lancers' score in the home half of the third, but left two runners stranded as Grace maintained the 2-0 lead entering the fourth inning.

The next best chance to score came in the bottom of the fifth inning. A Huntington double and a two single gave the home team on first and third with two outs. Ellis ended the Foresters threat with a strikeout to slam the door on the Foresters.

The Lancers nearly extended their lead in the sixth inning after Brincks hit a single through the middle of the infield that advanced Lowe to third base. The lead remained at 2-0 though, as Huntington recorded the final out of the sixth without allowing Lowe to cross home plate.

The Lancers' defense remained solid in the final inning, recording the final three outs in order  as Ellis put the finishing touches on her seven inning masterpiece and picked up the 2-0 win.

Ellis had five strikeouts in the win and limited Huntington to just five hits. Hayes recorded both of Grace's RBIs and Rymers had two hits.

In game two Hodgen had a leadoff single, but in this game it would be Huntington's pitcher who ruled the game. After the lead off hit, the Lancers had nine straight batters sent down, which allowed the Foresters to grab their first lead of the game at 1-0.

Grace saw the deficit grow to 4-0 in the fourth inning.

Lowe had a double in the fifth inning but the Lancers couldn't cross a run and Huntington added another marker in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 5-0.

The Lancers had a runner on base in the sixth and seventh innings but were unable to find a run as they dropped game two 5-0.

The Lancers will be at home on Saturday as they host Goshen. Grace will also honor the 2023 senior class following the doubleheader.