MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Grace College's softball team completed the season sweep over the Bethel Pilots with a pair of victories on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers (9-32-1, 5-30-1 Crossroads League) won both games in convincing fashion with scores of 8-1 and 4-2. The wins secured the season sweep as Grace had previously won between the Pilots in both games played in Winona Lake.

In game one the Lancers would take full advantage of the long ball to help fuel the victory. They wasted little time in doing so as Sami Lemler blasted a solo shot as the second batter of the game.

Chloe Huff got the start in the circle for Grace. She walked her first batter, but was nearly perfect after that. Huff retired the next nine batters in order and in the top of the third the Lancers extended their lead.

Annie Spicer singled through the middle to start the inning and Halle Nett followed her up with a single of her own. Lemler then stepped to the plate and blasted her second home run of the game to push Grace's advantage to four runs.

The Pilots plated what proved to be their only run of the game in the fourth inning but the Lancers' offense wasn't done scoring.

In the fifth frame Bree Gardinier, who had just been passed by Lemler for the team lead in home runs, matched her teammate as her solo shot marked her seventh home run of the season.

Huff continued to dominate from the circle and in the seventh inning Grace took a strangled hold on the contest.

Lemler had a lead off walk and a misread ball from the Pilots center fielder got Gardinier on base. Tia O'Connor then joined the home run party as she blasted a three-run shot to push the Lancers ahead 8-1.

Huff would retire the final three batters in order to secure the win for the Lancers.

Lemler had four RBIs while O'Connor added three of her own. Lemler, O'Connor, Bela Duran and Daylie Rickard all had two hits. With their home runs, Lemler and Gardiner finished tied for fifth in program history for single season home runs.

Grace's four home runs mark the most in a single game since at least the 2012 season. The three hits that Grace gave up is also the fewest allowed in a seven inning game since 2019.

In game two again the Lancers blitzed out to an early lead.

Nett had a lead off single and with one out Gardinier had a single down the right field line that scored Nett from second base. A pair of passed balls moved Gardinier to third and O'Connor got on board with a walk. The Lancers then pulled off a double steal as O'Connor got to second and Gardinier beat the throw home to double the Lancers' lead.

O'Connor would advance to third then alertly scored after a dropped third strike from the Pilots.

In the third inning Grace pushed their lead to four. Gardinier got on with a lead off walk and then stole second and third on consecutive pitches. She scored off of a sacrifice fly from O'Connor.

The Pilots got a run back in the bottom of the frame then pulled to within two runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The Lancers shut down any hopes of a comeback though as they held on for the 4-2 win.

Izzy Waddle got the win and Lemler pitched three scoreless innings in relief. Four different players had hits for the Lancers and Gardinier had three stolen bases.

This contest marked the final collegiate games for seniors, Duran, Gardinier, Montana Brincks, O'Connor and Spicer.