FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Grace College's softball team earned a doubleheader split with St. Francis on Wednesday afternoon.

Game one proved to be a marathon affair, lasting nine innings before the Lancers (16-26, 12-22 Crossroads League) emerged victorious by a 4-1 margin. The Cougars won game two 5-2.

Jeri Ellis got the start in the circle for Grace in game one and surrendered a run in the bottom of the first inning. That run proved to be the only marker that Ellis would give up in the game as she was nearly flawless over the next eight frames.

The Lancers offense got off to a slow start but produced the game-tying run in the fifth inning when Cassie Hayes hit a sacrifice fly to score Duran.

Ellis struck out six players as the pitchers' duel entered extra inning to determine a winner.

In the top of the ninth frame Montana Brincks earned a leadoff walk and Kaitlyn Seagrave followed up with a single.

Halle Nett forced the Cougars defense into a miscue which allowed both Brincks and Duran to score and give Grace its first lead of the afternoon. Nett eventually came around to score thanks to an RBI from Ellis.

With Grace holding a 4-1 lead, Ellis gave St. Francis now hopes off a comeback as she closed out the complete game by sending the Cougars down in order to secure the 4-1 victory.

Game two started with a leadoff single from Duran but the Lancers were unable to capitalize on the hit.

The Cougars jumped ahead 3-0 in the second inning and never looked back. St. Francis added two more runs in the fourth to stretch the lead to 5-0.

Grace had four hits in the top of the fifth frame and RBIs from Nett and Duran pulled the Lancers within three runs but they could not get any closer as they fell 5-2.

The Lancers will now turn their attention to a Saturday showdown with Mt. Vernon as they aim to clinch a spot in the Crossroads League Tournament. Saturday will also be senior day as Grace honors the graduating class.