WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's baseball team came up short, nearly knocking off No. 24 Marian on Monday.
After falling 13-8 in the opener, Grace led into the sixth inning of game two. But Marian recovered, producing a 7-3 win in the series finale at Tom Roy - UPI Park.
In the opening game, Grace fell behind early as Marian's bats began the game hot. The Knights pushed four runs across home plate over the first two innings, sparked by a three-run home run in the second inning.
Ian Wilson led off the third with a solo homer, but the Lancers fell behind 9-1 as Marian continued to hit the ball well.
Grace's offense began to find its rhythm in the later innings. The Lancers racked up seven runs over the final four innings.
Matt Friesema's sacrifice fly scored Carter Stogsdill in the sixth inning. Darl Gustin's seventh-inning home run brought in two more runs.
In the eighth inning, Mayo Fernandez's two-out single plated Cayden Calloway.
In the ninth, Wilson, Gabriel Maldonado and Stogsdill scored, but it was not enough as Marian pulled away.
Wilson finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored, and Fernandez had two hits and two RBIs.
In the second game, Grace starting pitcher Caleb Davis settled into immediate control of the game.
Davis kept Marian off the scoreboard for the first five innings; the Knights were without a hit until the sixth inning thanks to Davis's pitching.
Gustin put the Lancers on top with a second-inning home run, clearing the fence with two outs.
In the fourth, Grace pushed further in front. Friesema singled and raced home because of alert baserunning.
Fernandez drove in another with an RBI single, propelling the Lancers into a 3-0 lead.
But the Knights exploded late to rally in front. Marian scored seven runs in the sixth inning off four hits, surging to take a 7-3 lead.
Grace seemed ready to respond in the bottom of the sixth, quickly putting two runners on base. But the Knights escaped the inning without allowing a Lancer run.
Grace did not find a hit in the seventh inning and had to settle for the defeat.
Fernandez hit 1 for 2 with 1 RBI, 1 walk and 1 stolen base, and Stogsdill added a hit and a walk.
The Lancers have one series remaining in the regular season. Grace will take on Bethel on Friday and Saturday to wrap up the regular season.
Grace is battling with Bethel for the final spot in the Crossroads League Tournament. The teams are tied in the league standings.
