WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Grace's baseball team saw its first action of the 2024 season with a nine-inning tilt against Keiser on Thursday afternoon. The first ever matchup between the two schools went to the home team as the Seahawks took game one of the three-game series 5-1.

The two teams were deadlocked through the first two innings as neither team could get much going offensively.

The Seahawks (5-0) broke the scoreless draw with a run in the third and tacked on two more an inning later to hold a 3-0 advantage after four frames.

The Lancers (0-1) threatened with runners on second and third in the seventh inning, but were unable to find the run-producing at-bat to push a run across the plate.

Keiser was able to extend the lead by plating two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh to increase the lead to five.

Grace put together some two-out lightning in the eighth to get within four. Sean Gannon singled followed by a Maximo de Leon hit by pitch. Austin Carr delivered an RBI single to center to plate courtesy runner Gavin Kelley for Grace's first run of the game. The damage was limited as the Seahawks were able to get out of the inning and later posted a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the victory.

Kyle Reinartz got the opening day nod on the mound. He pitched 4.0 innings, allowing three runs with a pair of strikeouts. Sam Justice came on in relief, allowing two earned runs on just two hits while collecting four strikeouts in four innings of work.

The Lancers outhit Keiser 8-7 in the ballgame and had at least one runner reach base in all but three innings.

Carr, Gannon and Ryan Stark each went 2 for 4 on the afternoon with the lone RBI coming off the bat of Carr. Stark, de Leon and Matt Friesema each notched a double for the visitors.

Grace will continue its three-games series with Keiser on Feb. 2. First pitch from the Sunshine State is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.