WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball team dropped a pair of contests against Spring Arbor on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers (5-9, 1-5 Crossroads League) scored first in the opener but ultimately fell 6-1. Grace dropped the second game by just a run with the tally reading 3-2 in favor of the Cougars.

The first three innings of game one was a defensive battle, with neither squad plating a run. Grace had a pair of walks and Bella Duran had a two-out single through three frames.

The first score of the game was in Grace's favor in the fourth inning. Cassie Hayes earned a walk and Kali Kahalekomo pinch ran for her.

Kahalekomo advanced to third with a Tia O'Connor single before coming around to score after Madison Gainey laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Grace ahead 1-0.

In the home-half of the fourth inning Spring Arbor answered back. The Cougars scored four runs to take a commanding 4-1 lead.

In the sixth inning Grace threatened again. O'Connor started Grace off as she took advantage of a defensive miscue to reach first base.

Gainey and Avery Sleeth each had a single to load the base for Grace but back-to-back strikeouts ended the Lancers scoring chance.

Spring Arbor added two runs in the sixth inning to extend their advantage to five runs.

Halle Nett and Jeri Ellis each picked up hits in the final inning but the Lancers were unable to draw any close to the Cougars as they fell 6-1.

In the second game Nett and Hayes each had singles in the opening frame but the Lancers were unable to capitalize.

The Cougars would strike in the bottom of the first inning with three runs to edge out to the early lead.

Grace chipped away at the deficit in inning two with a pair hits that eventually led to a Duran score to pull the Lancers within 3-1.

Neither team was able to threaten over the middle innings but Grace wouldn't go down quietly.

Gainey and Sleeth each reached for Grace in the sixth but the Lancers were unable to plate a run and entered the final frame down 3-1.

Down to their final three outs, Grace earned a pair of walks and had the bases loaded with just one after a Spring Arbor fielding error.

O'Connor grounded in a 6-3 putout, but her hit was good enough to score Duran and pull Grace to within a run.

With two outs, Gainey came to the plate with a chance to tie the game. The freshman worked the count full before picking up the final out of the game on a called strike three on a ball that appeared well outside the strike zone.

The Lancers will return to action on Tuesday for a home date against Bethel.