WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball started the 2024 season with a home doubleheader on Monday afternoon.

The season opening clash saw the Lancers drop a pair of contests IU South Bend, 6-2 and 9-4.

The afternoon was highlighted by a stellar showing from the plate from Jeri Ellis. Ellis had five hits in seven at bats across the doubleheader.

Ellis also got from the start from the circle for Grace in game one of the afternoon. She started the day retiring the top of the Titans lineup in order. Ellis had the Lancers' lone hit in the bottom of the inning and reached scoring position with a clean steal of second base.

Despite Grace threatening, IUSB was able to escape the first inning without giving up the go ahead run and in the top of the second plated two runs to push ahead 2-0.

Madison Gainey earned a leadoff walk to start the home-half of the second inning and Tia O'Connor followed it up with a double to left-center field. A one-out walk saw the Lancers load the bases, but IUSB again was squeaked by without allowing a run thanks to an inning ending double play.

In the third inning Grace broke through for the first run of the season.

Ellis reached base with a two-out double and came around to score when Cassie Hayes had a hard hit ball to right field.

Grace's offense went quiet in the middle innings and IUSB took advantage, scoring two runs in the fourth and sixth innings to grow their lead to 6-1.

Gainey hit a single into right field and used her speed to reach second base before the Titans could corral the ball. O'Connor then had an infield single and Gainey came all the way around to score after a wild throw from the Titans second baseman.

The Lancers were unable to get any close though as they dropped the season opener 6-2.

The Titans continued to find offensive success in the second game, plating an unearned run in the first inning.

Despite having at least one player reach base in each of the first four innings the Lancers were unable to answer the Titans run.

IUSB grew the lead to 5-0 entering the fourth inning and used a three-run home run in the fifth to push the advantage to 8-0.

In the bottom of the fifth Grace broke up the shutout. Bela Duran and Halle Nett each singled early in the pitch count.

Ellis picked up her fifth hit of the afternoon with a hit into right field and Duran was able to plate the Lancers' first run after scoring from second base. Hayes doubled Grace's score with an RBI that scored Nett.

Maisy Harlow was called to pinch hit in the sixth inning and took advantage of her opportunity, earning a walk. Kyrah Lewis was the second straight pinch hitter for Grace to reach base with a single that advanced Harlow to third.

With runners on the corners, Duran came to the plate and scored both players after a hard hit ground ball took an opportune bounce that caused the Titans fielders issue.

Alexis Bergman pitched the final two and a third innings without giving up a run but it was not enough to help Grace close the gap as the Lancers fell 9-4.

Duran ended the day with two hits and a pair of RBIs while O'Connor collected three hits. Freshman Chloe Huff had three strikeouts in her first collegiate appearance.