WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's baseball team began its Crossroads League series against Goshen with a split on Friday.
The Lancers (15-17, 5-13 Crossroads League) won the opener with a 10-0 run-rule victory, before Goshen salvaged the day with a 6-3 win in game two.
The Lancers jumped ahead of the Maple Leafs early in the opener and never looked back.
In the first inning, Grace loaded the bases with a walk and two hit batsmen. Jose Ayala then drove in a pair with a single to left, putting Grace ahead 2-0.
The next three innings were scoreless before the Lancers broke open the game.
Grant Rojek led off the fifth with a single, and he raced home to score on an RBI single by Matt Friesema.
Grace seized control in the sixth inning. Ian Wilson brought in a run with a single, and Joey Diaz's double scored another. Carter Stogsdill later recorded an RBI single and raced home after an errant throw by the Maple Leafs.
By the end of the inning, Grace led by a commanding 9-0 scoreline.
The Lancers wrapped up the game early thanks to the run-rule in the eighth inning. Friesema singled with one out and promptly stole second base. Two hit batsmen allowed Friesema to take third base; he then sprinted home after a wild pitch went to the backstop, ending the game 10-0.
Friesema finished with 2 hits, 3 runs and an RBI, Ayala hit 2 for 3 with three RBIs, and Stogsdill had 2 runs, 1 hit, 1 RBI and 1 walk.
Sam Justice was impressive from the mound. He threw six innings without allowing a hit or a run against him. He walked four and struck out five to record the win.
Bryce Berkemeier threw the final two innings of scoreless relief. He tallied three strikeouts with two hits allowed.
The second game started in Grace's favor. The Lancers plated three runs in the second frame.
Grace quickly loaded the bases with two walks and a double from Mayo Fernandez. Will Ambrose then brought in two runners with a single, and Logan Warren followed up with an RBI single.
But the Maple Leafs swiftly answered with three runs of their own in the top of the third to tie the score.
Goshen went on to tack on three more runs across the next two innings to open up a 6-3 advantage.
Grace had chances to score, including two runners in scoring position in the fourth inning. The Lancers also had the leadoff batter reach base in the fifth and sixth innings, but Grace was unable to push across a run over the last five innings.
Luke Cherry had a walk and a hit off the bench, Fernandez had 1 hit, 1 run and 1 walk, and Ambrose batted 1 for 2 with two RBIs.
Noah Dininger pitched the final 4.1 innings, giving up two runs with five strikeouts.
The Lancers will wrap up the series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. start time at Tom Roy - UPI Park.
