MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Grace's softball team wrapped up its season on a high note on Thursday.
The Lancers picked up a NAIA Top 25 upset, beating No. 25 Mt. Vernon Nazarene 1-0 in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader.
The Cougars won the second game of the twin bill 8-0 to officially wrap up Grace's season.
The first game was a classic pitchers' duel. Grace's Jeri Ellis held the Cougars to just five hits with no walks in a sensational performance. MVNU's Nadia Hoffman held Grace to three hits with one walk.
Neither team found the scoreboard across the first six innings. Grace had the first threatening moment in the third inning by loading the bases with two outs. But the final batter for Grace was retired with a pop out to leave three runners stranded.
The Cougars struggled to generate any offense until the sixth inning. Ellis held MVNU to three straight 1-2-3 innings to begin the game.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars threatened. MVNU singled on the first two at-bats. But Grace's infield handled the rest, getting three quick outs on ground balls to end the threat.
The Lancers grabbed momentum in the top of the seventh. With one out in the inning, Laikyn Lowe launched a solo home run over the left field fence for the first run of the game.
The Cougars did their best to respond during their last at-bats. MVNU led off the inning with a double to apply immediate pressure on Grace.
But the Lancers' defense again was up to the challenge. Ellis drew ground balls from the next three batters, and the infield took care of the rest to retire the side.
Ellis concluded her outstanding pitching career with a complete game shutout. She struck out five during her five-hitter to register the NAIA upset victory.
Ellis also had one of Grace's three hits offensively, joined by Lowe's homer and another single from Taylor Hodgen.
Game two belonged to the Cougars. MVNU took advantage of six Grace errors and had 10 hits and a home run to end the game early 8-0 due to the run rule.
The Lancers had a baserunner in scoring position in three of the first four innings, but Grace was unable to push across a run.
MVNU racked up four runs in the second inning, benefitting from four errors by Grace in the frame. The Cougars then tacked on three more in the fourth and another run in the sixth.
Kali Kahalekomo batted 2 for 2 from the leadoff position, also reaching base with a hit by pitch. Cassie Hayes, Lowe and Avery Sleeth each recorded a hit for Grace in the season finale.
The loss concludes the careers of seniors Lowe, Carly Ruiz and Ashley Beckler. Grace returns most of its squad, however, for a promising 2024 campaign.
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