WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's baseball team came up short in a pair of close contests against No. 25 Huntington on Saturday.
The opening game was an extra-innings thriller. The Lancers rallied late to force extra innings before ultimately falling 4-3. The Foresters finished the day with a 4-1 victory in the series finale.
Grace wasted no time getting onto the scoreboard in the first game. Mayo Fernandez singled in the first inning, stole second and then ran home after a single from Matt Friesema.
The slight margin held until the fourth frame when HU rallied to even the score with a run.
The Foresters then forged ahead with a two-run home run in the sixth inning.
Mason Wire pulled a run back for the Lancers with a leadoff homer in the seventh, and Friesema tied the ballgame with another leadoff blast in the eighth.
Neither side was able to move a runner into scoring position in the ninth inning as the game continued into extras.
Huntington homered with two outs in the top of the 10th inning to go ahead 4-3.
Grace threatened to respond, starting with a leadoff double to left field by Matt Friesema. Jose Ayala was later hit by a pitch to put two runners on the basepaths; but the Lancers' rally was cut short with two strikeouts on the final two at-bats.
Friesema was 3 for 5 with two RBIs, and Fernandez had 2 hits, 1 run and 1 stolen base.
Kyle Showley pitched the first 7.1 innings, yielding three runs with six hits. Isaac Roberts tossed the remaining 2.2 innings, striking out four and giving up one hit and one run.
In the second game, Huntington scored all four of its runs in the first three innings.
The Lancers were unable to respond in this game, however, and lost 4-1.
Grace's sole run was a two-out home run by Friesema in the fourth inning.
The Lancers looked to get a rally going in the sixth inning after Grant Rojek walked and Fernandez laced a single to put runners on the corners with two outs. HU was able to end the threat, stranding both runners.
Fernandez had two hits in the game, and Jose Ayala had a hit and a steal.
Joey Diaz pitched the final four innings of scoreless relief. He allowed four scattered hits with no runs and no walks while striking out three.
The Lancers will take on another ranked opponent next week at home. Grace will face Marian, who is receiving votes, in a pair of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday — both days starting at 1 p.m. The series will be the final home games this year at Tom Roy - UPI Park.
