Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 UPLAND, Ind. - Grace College's softball team picked up their first Crossroads League victory of the year with a 13-9 win over Taylor on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers (7-17, 1-9 CL) earned the road split with the Trojans after dropping the opener 12-2.

The opener got off to a slow start as both pitchers delt with confidence. The first three innings of game one were scoreless as the teams combined for just four hits.

Sage Ladig had a leadoff single to start the fourth frame. Allie Furches then displayed her speed to bunt her way on board forcing a quick throw that was off line. Furches then drew the attention of the Trojans' defense as she made an aggressive attempt at second while Taytlor gathered the loose ball. Furches was tagged out but her effort allowed Ladig to score, giving Grace a 1-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the Lancers their lead would not last long as the Trojans offense roared to life in the bottom of the frame. Taylor plated 12 runs in the inning to take a commanding lead.

In the fifth inning Grace loaded the bases without suffering an out. Molly Jones singled and Lauren Kirkpatrick and Sami Lemler both walked.

Paige McCorkle then hit into a fielder's choice which scored a run for the Lancers but Grace couldn't produce then needed offense to extend the game, falling 12-2.

Jones had two hits in the game while Kirkpatrick reached base on balls both of her times at the plate.
In game two the first inning passed without incident before Taylor crossed three in the second to jump out to an early lead.

Grace responded in their next time at the play though, tying the game with three runs of their own. Kirkpatrick walked and McCorkle reached after a Taylor error, setting the plate for Jones who hit a three-run home run to even that game.

The scoring continued in the bottom of the frame as Taylor re established their three-run advantage to lead 6-3 entering the fourth.

The fourth inning saw Grace take the lead for good as their offense exploded for 10 runs. Grace had their first nine hitters of the inning reach safely and Kirkpatrick blasted a three-run shot over the left field fence to push Grace ahead 13-6.

Marly Coan, Avery Sleeth, Sage Ladig, Jones, Furches and Kirkpatrick all had RBIs in the frame.

The Trojans came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning and added another in the seventh but it was too little too late as the Lancers held on for the 13-9 victory.

Coan had three hits and an RBI while Kirkpatrick, Jones and Sleeth all had two hits. Kirkpatrick and Jones each had four RBIs. Chloe Huff got the complete game victory.

The Lancers will return to action on Monday as they host St. Francis.