PULASKI, Tenn. - Grace's offense erupted for 19 runs in game two on its way to earning a split in the first of two doubleheaders at UT Southern. 

The opening game was a pitcher's duel that ended 2-1 in favor of the Firehawks. The nightcap was much different as the teams combined for 25 runs on 29 hits. Grace used seven home runs in the game to cruise to victory 19-6.

The Firehawks (3-5) took advantage of a pair of defensive miscues in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead.

Hits were hard to come by as Grace (2-3) recorded its first hit of the game in the fourth inning on a Sean Gannon single.

The Lancers had something brewing in the fifth with two runners on and one out, but the Firehawks were able to snuff out the rally and retire the side.

An inning later, De Leon led off with a single, but was immediately picked off at first. Gannon followed with a single to right. His courtesy runner advanced to second on a ground ball to the shortstop. Pinch hitter Mason Meyer smacked an RBI single, bringing Grant Rojek around to score Grace's only run of the game.

Kyle Reinartz took the tough-luck loss in 4.0 innings of work. He allowed two unearned runs on just two hits. He fanned seven and allowed only two baserunners after the first inning. Owen Kirchenstein pitched the final two innings in relief with one strikeout. 

Sean Gannon continued his hot start at the plate, adding two hits to his season tally.

Matt Friesema reached base safely in his three plate appearances, drawing three walks in the game. 

Game two of the twin bill featured 29 hits, 25 runs and 10 home runs to name a few highlights. The Lancers used an 11-run sixth inning to blow open the game. 

UT Southern opened up the scoring again in game two, but this time Grace had the answer. 

The Lancers used the long ball in the second to push ahead. Annikan Pettit hit a drive to left for a two-run home run to bring in Friesema. Pat Danforth followed with a solo shot to center to put Grace ahead 3-1.

The lead was short-lived as a solo home run and a sacrifice fly leveled the score in the bottom half of the inning.

Grant Hartley joined the home run parade with a three-run blast to plate De Leon and Ryan Stark and give Grace the lead for good. 

The Lancers tacked on two more runs in the fourth after Cayden Calloway singled and Gannon launched his two-run shot to left.

Things escalated in the sixth. Grace batted around, sending 14 batters to the plate in the inning. Austin Carr delivered an RBI single to bring home the first run. Stark followed with an RBI groundout. Next was Addison Hickman with an RBI double. Then Danforth with an RBI fielder's choice. Calloway belted the first three-run home run of the inning. The other came off the bat of Carr moments later. Stark capped off the big inning with a solo blast with two outs.

Five Lancers recorded multi-hit games. Eight produced at least one RBI and seven went deep with home runs.

Carr went 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs, 2 runs and a walk; Calloway had a 2 for 4 day with 3 RBIs and 2 runs. De Leon, who moved up to the fifth spot on the all-time stolen base list, tallied 2 hits, 3 runs and a stolen base. Gannon extended his hitting streak to five games with 2 RBIs, 1 hit, 1 run and 1 walk.  

Evan Etchison (1-0) earned his first win of the season, moving him into sole possession of eighth place on the career wins list (10). The senior grinded through 5.0 innings with five strikeouts. 

Steven Hernandez pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Grace will complete the four-game series in Tennessee with another doubleheader against UT Southern on Saturday at 2 p.m.