WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball team battled top ranked Marian in a pair of contests on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lancers' (7-24-1, 3-22-1 Crossroads League) offense was kept quiet by the 15th ranked Knights (32-6, 22-4 CL), as Marian won scores of 12-0 and 8-2.

Marian wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. The Knights plated three times in the first inning, sparked by a two-run homer.

Grace threatened with two baserunners in both the first and second innings, but each time Grace was unable to provide a run-scoring hit. In the second, Grace had runners on second and third, but two strikeouts and a pop out ended the frame.

The Knights built a 5-0 lead after three innings and tacked on five more runs on five hits in the top of the fourth.

Grace was unable to generate a response and lost via run rule.

Tia O'Connor, Paige McCorkle and Chloe Huff each hit 1 for 2 in the opener.

In the second game, Grace found its first run in the third inning. Montana Brincks led off the frame with a single, and she came around to score on a deep double from Sami Lemler.

But the Knights scored early again, plating six times across the first three innings.

Avery Sleeth added another run for the Lancers in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single that brought O'Connor in the score but Grace still fell short, dropping the contest 8-2.

O'Connor recorded three hits on the afternoon and freshman Izzy Waddle record three strikeouts.

The Lancers will end the week playing at Taylor on Thursday and at Spring Arbor on Saturday.

Grace's home finale will take place on Monday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader against St. Francis.