WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball has had a flare for the dramatic in recent days as they picked up their second walk-off victory of the week in a victory over St. Francis on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers (9-13, 5-9 Crossroads League) earned a split with the Cougars, dropping the opener 11-2, before pulling off the dramatic 6-5 victory. The win was Grace's third win in walk-off fashion this season.

Avery Sleeth played the role of hero for the Lancers, as her two-out single allowed Madison Gainey to score from second base for the game clinching run.

With the victory, Grace sits just one game out of fifth place in conference standing as the schedule nears the midway point.

Game one of Saturday afternoon saw the Cougars (11-16, 4-10 CL) jump on the board early with a pair of runs in the opening frame.

The Lancers' bats were quiet through the first two innings, but Grace found its offensive touch in the third. Halle Nett had a single to get on board and then with two outs Cassie Hayes blasted a ball over the right field fence to tie the game at two apiece.

The Cougars regained their lead with a run in the fifth inning and then exploded for four runs apiece in the six and seventh innings.

Grace tried to muster a response and managed to load the bases with just one out in the sixth inning, but they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity, dropping game one by an 11-2 mark.

Chloe Huff was solid in the circle for Grace after getting the starting nod in game two, as she allowed just two hits through the first four innings of play. The Lancers offense responded in kind, building up a 5-0 lead during that span.

The first runs came in the first inning which started with a lead-off double from Bela Duran. Nett then bunted herself onboard and quickly moved into scoring position with a swipe of second base.

Jeri Ellis notched the game's first RBI with a sacrifice fly that brought in Duran and the Lancers' lead was doubled on an RBI from Hayes.

The third inning saw the Lancers work some two-out magic to grow their lead.

Nett and Ellis each had two-out singles and Hayes picked up her second and third RBIs of the game with a double into center field. Hayes ended up scoring on the same play after an effort to throw her out at third base took a strange bounce and ended up out of play resulting in Hayes being awarded home base.

Trailing 5-0 the Cougars were able to generate some offense in the fifth inning as they crossed a run to break up Huff's shutout bid.

In the seventh inning St. Francis managed to battle all the way back and tied the game at five all. Grace went down in order in the home half of the frame which sent the game into extra innings.

Alexis Bergman forced the Cougars into a trio of groundouts in the eighth frame which brought Grace back to the plate.

With two-outs Madison Gainey was on first base as Brenna Elgin was up to bat. Elgin hit a single into left field that moved Gainey into scoring position.

Sleeth wasted little time in her at bat before slicing a ball down the left-field line that easily scored Gainey for the walk-off win.

Bergman picked up the win for Grace and Hayes added three RBIs. This game closed out a tremendous week of games for Hayes, who hit .452 while recording 14 RBIs.

Grace will be back in action on Tuesday with a road trip to Mt. Vernon Nazarene.