MARION, Ind. - Grace's softball team gave No. 17 IWU all it could handle on Friday.

The Lancers fell 7-4 and 3-1 in a pair of hotly contested games in Marion.

In the opener, the teams were even at 2-2 at the conclusion of three innings. IWU seized an early 2-0 lead, but Grace tied the score with single runs in the second and third frames.

During the second inning, Maddie Gainey doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly. Cassie Hayes drove in Bela Duran to tie the game in the third.

The Wildcats dealt a blow to the Lancers, pushing across five runs over the next three innings. Three of the five runs were unearned after two Grace errors.

In the top of the seventh, Grace's first five batters reached base safely. Brenna Elgin, Bree Gardinier and Duran singled to start the frame, and Halle Nett and Jeri Ellis walked.

Grace scored twice to cut the Wildcats' lead down to three. But with the bases loaded and nobody out, Grace had three straight batters retired to end the threat.

Duran finished the game 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Gainey, Elgin and Montana Brincks also plated a run.

Kierstin Fickas threw the final two innings, allowing two unearned runs with two hits.

The second game was a defensive battle. Freshman Chloe Huff pitched into the sixth inning, keeping the Wildcats under control throughout her outing.

The game was scoreless through four innings. Grace had baserunners in three of the first four innings but could string together hits to take the lead.

IWU scored the game's first run in the bottom of the fifth, using a sacrifice fly to pull in front.

After Grace came up empty in the sixth, the Wildcats managed to score two more runs to grab a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Grace threatened again in their final at-bats. Hayes singles, and Gainey doubled. Gardinier walked to load the bases with one out.

Brincks drove in one run with a ground ball, but the Lancers could not generate another run and fell 3-1.

Gainey hit 2 for 3, and Ellis walked twice. Huff threw 5.1 innings, allowing just two runs on six hits.

The Lancers will return home on Saturday for a 1 p.m. battle with Spring Arbor.