JASPER, Ind. - Grace's baseball team swept its spring opener on Friday, defeating Defiance twice 3-2 and 7-5.
With the first win, Grace head coach Ryan Roth became the all-time winningest coach in team history. He collected his 118th and 119th wins on Friday, moving atop the career coaching wins' list, passing previous wins leader Chet Kammerer.
"This is a tremendous accomplishment for Coach Roth. We are very thankful for his life investment into Grace's baseball program to impact and shape young men's lives for Christ," said Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. "We are excited for his continued leadership, and we know that there are many more wins to come under his direction."
In the opener, a stout defensive performance lifted Grace past Defiance 3-2.
The Lancers (5-1) struck first. In the second inning, four walks handed Grace the first run of the ballgame. Jose Ayala then drove in Mason Wire with a two-out single.
The Yellow Jackets did not breach the scoreboard until the fifth inning. Defiance managed to tie the score late, adding a run in the fifth and another in the sixth.
But in the bottom of the sixth, Ian Wilson led off with a go-ahead, solo home run.
Grace's defense took care of the rest in the top of the seventh. Mayo Fernandez fielded two ground outs, and Isaac Roberts struck out the final batter to secure the one-run win.
Caleb Davis got the start on the mound, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing one run. Steen Bellerjeau and Roberts tossed the final 2.2 innings, combined to allow 1 hit, 1 run and 1 walk. Roberts struck out three batters over the final two frames to record the victory.
Wilson batted 1 for 2 with two runs scored, and Carter Stogsdill had 1 hit, 1 RBI and 1 walk in the leadoff position.
In the second game, neither team scored in the first two frames. In the bottom of the third, Will Ambrose doubled, then came home on a two-out triple by Stogsdill.
The Yellow Jackets responded with a fourth-inning flurry. Three doubles helped generate four runs as Defiance climbed on top 4-1.
Grace began its rally with a solo homer by Cayden Calloway in the bottom of the fourth.
The Lancers regained the lead for good with a decisive four-run fifth inning. Joey Diaz began the inning with a single and eventually scored on an RBI double by Stogsdill.
Darl Gustin later scored, and Mayo Fernandez finished off the rally with a two-out, two-run single to plate Grant Rojek and Stogsdill.
Diaz added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, launching a leadoff home run over the left field fence.
The Yellow Jackets managed to score one run in the final inning. Defiance loaded the bases with one out, but two ground outs closed the door on a last-inning rally.
On the mound, Lukus Schmitt earned the win; he tossed two scoreless innings of relief. Coletin Berger handled the final two outs to record the save.
Stogsdill batted 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and two RBIs, and Diaz hit 2 for 3 with two runs scored.
Ambrose hit 1 for 3 with a double and a run, and Rojek had a pinch-hit single and a run.
The Lancers end the week with two more games against Defiance on Saturday.
