WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Evan Etchison cemented his name atop the career-strikeout leaderboard on Friday afternoon. The senior from Anderson, Ind., fanned six batters on the day to break the previous record set in 1971.

The Lancers and the Cougars kicked off their four-game series with the visitors taking both games 11-7 and 24-13.

The opening game of the day went back and forth throughout with both teams holding a lead during the game.

Grace opened up the scoring in its first at-bat with three runs to hold the early advantage. 

Maximo De Leon and Matt Friesema started the inning with singles and each picked up a stolen base as well. After De Leon scored, Austin Carr laced a double to score one more. He then scored to make it 3-0.

The Cougars equalized in the third before the Lancers regained the lead in the bottom half. 

After a two-out walk, Carr came around to score on Grant Hartley's RBI double.

Etchison provided the big moment in the fourth inning. Having tied the record in his last start, he struck out the side with the first one making him the career leader. The previous record of 224 strikeouts was held by John Sams.

Over the next three innings, each team scored three runs with Hartley launching a deep drive to center to give the Lancers a one-run lead heading into the eighth. His solo blast tied the single-season record for homeruns (11).  

The Cougars seized control with a five-run eighth inning. The Lancers had two runners reach in their half of the eighth, but the rally was halted before they could push a run across. 

Etchison would exit the game with a no decision after 6.0 innings of work and six strikeouts.

De Leon had 3 for 5 game with 1 RBI, 1 run and 1 stolen base.  Hartley was 3 for 3 with a walk and had 2 RBIs and 2 runs. Friesema and Carr each had two hits.

The second game featured an abundance of runs with the final score reading 24-13 after the seven-inning game.

USF opened the game with three runs, but the Lancers rebutted with four of their own to hold a one-run lead after one.

The game turned in the next inning with the Cougars putting up a nine spot to move ahead.

Grace plated three in the bottom half using three walks and three hits to cut the deficit to five. Sean Gannon doubled to right field, bringing home De Leon. Ryan Stark added an 2-run single to finish the inning.

The Cougars added four more runs over the next two innings before Grace made it interesting with six runs in the fifth to get within three, 16-13.

Grace loaded the bases with no outs to get the rally started. Carr and Hartley each worked walks to force in the first two runs. Gannon singled to bring in one more. Three more bases-loaded walks chased home three runs to cap off the rally.

USF, however, matched the big inning with seven runs of their own to balloon the lead to ten, putting the game out of reach.

Grace added two more walks in the eighth, making it 16 free passes in the game, but couldn't push any runs across to close the gap.

Three Grace hitters had at least two hits, four had at least 2 RBIs and five had at least two walks to their credit.

Stark went 2 for 5 with three RBIs and Hartley had 3 walks, 3 runs and 2 RBIs.

The Lancers will conclude the series against the Cougars on Saturday at Tom  Roy - UPI Park. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with Senior Day celebrations to happen between games.