WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball team dropped a pair of contests to Goshen on Thursday afternoon.
The Lancers (7-19, 3-17 Crossroads League) were unable to produce the needed offense to keep up with the Maple Leafs, as they fell 11-4 and 6-1 in the doubleheader.
In the opener, Grace and Goshen (11-17, 7-11 CL) were even with 12 hits apiece. But the Maple Leafs turned their 12 hits into 11 runs to win the opener.
Grace had opportunities to score in the opening innings in game one, but the Maple Leafs kept Grace off the scoreboard.
The Lancers had two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the first but failed to score. Grace again put runners on second and third during the second inning but again came up empty.
The Maple Leafs took advantage, slowly tacking on runs to go ahead 4-0 after five innings.
Goshen seized control of the game in the top of the sixth. The Maple Leafs plated six times with four being unearned. Goshen held a commanding 10-0 lead.
But Grace refused to be run-ruled. The Lancers' offense unlocked in the bottom of the sixth with three runs.
The Lancers scored all three with two outs, starting with an RBI single from
Montana Brincks.
Bela Duran followed up with a two-run single, bringing home
Paige McCorkle and Brinks.
Both teams tacked on a single run in the seventh, allowing the Maple Leafs to earn the 11-4 win.
Four players had multi-hit games for Grace.
Sami Lemler,
Tia O'Connor,
Sydney Argo and
Bree Gardinier each hit 2 for 4. Duran was 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs.
In game two both teams would scatter hits across the opening innings but the game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth frame when Goshen plated the game's first run.
In the bottom of the inning O'Connor and Argo both reached safely to give Grace two one with no outs. Goshen managed to escape the inning unscathed though and added three more to their advantage as they led 4-0 through their first six turns at bat.
In the home half of the inning O'Connor would get her first hit of the game after earning walks in her first two at bats. Argo then replaced her on the base paths with a fielder's choice and a two-out double from Gardinier scored Argo to get Grace on the board.
After surrendering two more runs in the top of the seventh the Lancers tried to muster a rally.
Chloe Huff had a pinch hit single and Duran also singled but Grace couldn't produce any more offense as they fell 6-1.
Grace was out hit 10-6 in the game and
Sami Lemler recorded three strikeouts with the start in game two.
The Lancers are next scheduled to play at Huntington on Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
