WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball dropped a pair of contests to No. 22 Indiana Wesleyan in doubleheader action on Thursday afternoon.

The Lancers (6-17, 5-13 Crossroads League) battled throughout both matches, but couldn't overcome the Wildcats potent offense, falling 10-3 and 8-4.

Despite the final score, game one was tightly contested through most of the game.

Grace had the first baserunners of the game with a pir of second inning walks. The runners were stranded at first and second after Grace was unable to find the needed offense to push them ahead for the game's first score.

IWU (21-9, 10-6 CL) drew first blood in the top of the third. The Wildcats' leadoff hit a line drive into deep-right field, and the Grace fielder came up hobbled on the play which allowed the IWU player to come around to score.

A pair of groundouts and an alert throw from Bree Gardinier to Laikyn Lowe to catch a Wildcat player attempting to steal second base brought the top of the inning to a close.

IWU's lead would be short lived however, as Grace found the offensive touch in the next half inning.

Ashley Beckler, Taylor Hodgen and Carly Ruiz loaded the bases for the Lancers with nobody out. Jeri Ellis got credit for the game tying RBI, as she singled through the middle of the infield.

The Lancers got their first lead of the afternoon two batters later, as Cassie Hayes picked up an RBI single. The bases remained loaded with just one out, but the Wildcats picked up a pair of strikeouts to limit Grace's lead to just one run.

The scoring would continue in the top of the fourth inning as IWU used two runs to leapfrog themselves back into a 3-2 lead.

A lone double from Taylor Hodgen was all Grace could muster in the fourth inning. IWU would tack on another run in the fifth to bolster their lead to 4-2.

The Lancers would draw back within a single run in the bottom of the fifth when Ellis scored on a hard-hit double from Hayes.

The 4-3 deficit would be as close as Grace would get though as IWU made use of a pair of homeruns in the closing innings to secure the 10-3 victory in game one.

In game two, much like game one, Grace went blow-for-blow early with the 22nd ranked Wildcats.

After surrendering two runs in the top of the first, Ellis helped get Grace's offense in gear with a leadoff single. She would advance to third after taking advantage of a Wildcats' miscue fielding the ball.

Tia O'Connor then continued her impressive stretch of Crossroads League play, as she singled in Ellis in the next at bat. Lowe then put a sacrifice bunt into play, and another error from the Wildcats defense allowed O'connor to score from second base to tie the game at 2-2.

The Wildcats put up a run in the second and third innings to reestablish their lead at 4-2.

In the home half of the third, Montana Brincks added to her team leading RBI total as she brought Hayes in to score to cut the IWU lead in half.

Grace was unable to hold down the Wildcats offense late, as IWU stretched their lead to 8-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

The Lancers gave their best effort to produce a rally as Grace loaded the bases before the Wildcats were able to record their first out. The Lancers were only able to push across one run though, and IWU held on for the 8-4 victory.

Cassie Hayes had a tremendous day at the plate, reaching base seven times with five at bats and also recording one run and two RBIs.

The Lancers will return to play on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The Lancers will close out this eight game homestand with a pair of games against No. 12 Marian.