Grace College Athletics

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's baseball team had an impressive start to the season with a pair of wins over Grace Christian on Friday afternoon.

The Lancers, who were playing their first games in the renovated Tom Roy - UPI Park, impressed defensively allowing just three total runs across the two games while their offense exploded for 21 runs of their own. Grace won the opener 6-2 and took the second game 15-1.

Senior Jose Ayala's stat line jumped off the box score with nine RBIs, two home runs and five total hits. Both home runs and seven of his RBIs came in the game two victory.

Kyle Showley got the nod on the bump for the season opener and struck out his first batter on the way to a 1-2-3 inning.

A solo home run put the Tigers ahead 1-0 in the second inning, before Grace threatened in the bottom of the same frame. The Lancers had back-to-back players hit by a pitch and Carter Stogsdill worked a walk to load the bases with just one out. Grace Christian was able to record the final two outs of the inning without surrendering a run to cling to the one-run lead.

Another solo shot from the Tigers in the fourth inning saw the Lancers deficit double as the Tigers continued to pitch a shutout.

The Lancers broke up the shutout in the fifth inning thanks to some timely hitting.

Matt Friesema had a one-out double and moved to third thanks to a Cayden Calloway single. Ayala then recorded his first RBI of the afternoon to pull the Lancers within a run heading into the sixth inning.

In the sixth inning the Lancers offense came alive to completely swing the game in Grace's favor. A leadoff walk by Gabriel Maldonado and a double from Stogsdill set the plate for a big inning.

After recording two outs, the Tigers nearly escaped the inning unscathed but Friesma put a ball in play that Grace Christian couldn't handle which extended the inning and allowed Stogsdill to score and tie the game.

The Lancers then used movement on the basepaths as Friesma stole second and allowed Grant Rojek to cross home plate to put the Lancers ahead for the first time.

The parade across the plate continued when a bases loaded balk scored another for the Lancers. Ayala added his second RBI of the day to plate the fifth run for the Lancers and another balk pushed the Lancers lead to 6-2.

Steen Bellerjeau relieved Kyle Showley in the seventh frame and recorded three straight outs to secure the 6-2 win for Grace. Showley pitched six innings and struck out five while allowing just four hits as the pitcher of record.

In game two the Tigers again edged out to the early 1-0 lead in part thanks to a pair of singles. The two hits proved to be the only hits Grace Christian would have for the game.

The Lancers wasted no time in responding in the home-half of the inning as Friesma led off with a double. Mayo Fernandez then singled his way on base and with one out Ayala continued his impressive opening day showing with a three run blast over the left field fence.

Ian Wilson and Maldonado also singled and were eventually brought around to score thanks to an RBI single from Darl Gustin. The Lancers again used motion from their base runners to score as an attempted double steal allowed Stogsdill to take home which put the Lancers ahead 6-1 after the first frame.

Tyler Sarver, who got the start in game two, walked a pair of batters in the second frame but nullified any scoring threat with a pair of swinging strikeouts.

With two outs in the bottom of the second inning Calloway extended the inning by showing great patience at the plate to earn his way on to first via a walk. Ayala then blasted his second home run in as many innings with a two run shot to push Grace's lead to 8-1.

In the third frame Gustin was hit by a pitch and after advancing to third thanks to a single from Noah Dininger, scored on a wild pitch. Ayala added two more RBIs to bring his game total to seven in just three innings.

Stogsdill and Gustin then picked up a pair of unconventional RBIs as they were each hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. After the third inning Grace led 13-1.

The Lancers offensive frenzy came to an end in the fourth inning after Rojek's home run pushed the Lancer advantage to 15-1, which proved to be the game's final.

Caleb Davis and Isaac Roberts each saw action in relief and didn't allow a hit over four combined innings. Along with Sarver, the trio struck out 10 total batters while allowing just two hits and eight total base runners.

On the day the Lancers hit at an impressive .414 clip with three home runs.

The Lancers will conclude the four-game series with Grace Christian on the road as they travel to Michigan on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.