MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Grace College's softball team put together two impressive performances leading to a series sweep over the Bethel Pilots on Friday afternoon.

The Lancers (9-25, 3-17 Crossroads League) won the opener 11-2 before an even more impressive offensive in game two which went to Grace by a mark of 18-3.

Grace's 18 runs was the most they have scored in a single game since an 18-1 victory in March of 2018. The 29 runs were the most they have scored in a single series since at least the 2012 season.

The Lancers wasted little time in showcasing their offense during the Friday tilt, scoring five runs in the opening inning. Marly Coan had a lead off single then Allie Furches doubled. The bases were loaded when Avery Sleeth was hit by a pitch.

Emma Hiss, who also got the start in the circle for the Lancers, had the first RBIs of the game with a two RBI double to push the Lancers ahead. Lauren Kirkpatrick added another to Grace's tally with a hit to left center and then Sage Ladig and Paige McCorkle each had sacrifice hits to give the Lancers a commanding 5-0 lead after the first frame.

In the third inning Grace struck again. Sleeth got on board after being hit by a pitch for the second time. Hiss then singled to give the Lancers runners on the corners.

Kirkpatrick, McCorkle and Marly Coan all had RBIs for Grace in the frame to push the advantage to 9-0.

The Pilots answered with a run of their own in the home-half of the frame to break up the shutout but the Lancers struck back quickly.

Sleeth kept her perfect day from the plate alive with a lead off home run and two batters later Kirkpatrick blasted a solo shot over the left-field wall to push the score to 11-1.

The Pilots added one more in the fifth inning but it was not enough as Grace secured the 111-2 run-rule victory.

Sleeth and Kirkpatrick were both perfect from the plate  while six players had at least one RBI.

Hiss pitched four innings to secure the win and Daylie Rickard pitched an inning in relief.

Game two had a much slower start but the Lancers still struck first.

A pair of walks to Grace's first two batters allowed  two productive outs to advance Coan around the bases and home to push the Lancers ahead 1-0.

The Pilots responded immediately when they got the bat into their hands however, with a leadoff home run to tie the game at one apiece.

In the second frame Grace stranded one runner, while on the defensive side Chloe Huff retired the Pilots in order.

With the top of the order leading things off for Grace in the third inning, Coan and Furches both singled their way on board. Both players scored on a single to center field from Hiss to give Grace a 3-1 lead.

Once again Bethel mustered a response and matched Grace, plating two runs to tie the game at three.

In the fourth inning Grace's offense exploded to life. The Lancers had 11 hits and plated 11 runs to take a stranglehold on the game.

Grace's first 10 batters all reached safely, which included six singles and a two-run home run from Kirkpatrick. The home run was Kirkpatrick's sixth of the season moving her into sole possession of seventh place for single season home runs in program history.

Grace put the finishing touches on the game in the fifth inning with four more runs. Emme Meyering had a sacrifice fly to score a run and Rickard had three home runs to put the score at an 18-3 final.

The Lancers had 18 hits in the game and did not commit a fielding error. Nine different players had a hit and six different players had at least two hits. Hiss and Rickard each had four RBIs, while Coan, Furches, Sleeth and Kirkpatrick each batted in two runs.

The Lancers will return to action on Monday for another road showdown as they travel to Goshen to take on the Maple Leafs.