WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's softball team earned a series split with the Huntington Foresters on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lancers (10-26, 4-18 Crossroads League) dropped the opener 7-3 before taking the night-cap 9-4. Emma Hiss had five RBIs in Grace win, including a grand slam in the sixth inning.

Huntington (20-15, 12-11 CL) started the afternoon with a leadoff double in the top of the first. Hiss retired the next three batters in order and in the bottom of the second scored the game's first run.

The Lancers had their first batters retired in the second frame and Lauren Kirkpatrick was nearly the third but advanced to first after a dropped third strike. Sage Ladig then forced a hurried throw moving Kirkpatrick to third and Paige McCorkle singled into center to bring in Grace's run.

Huntington tied the game in the third frame and added five more runs across the fourth and fifth innings. Meanwhile Grace's offense went quiet.

The Lancers started their final time at the plate down 7-1. Marly Coan doubled and with two outs Sydney Argo was tabbed to pinch hit. The senior blasted the first pitch she saw sending the ball sailing over the left field fence and bouncing off the top of the scoreboard. Grace's comeback hopes ended there though as they fell 7-3.

Daily Rickard pitched two and a third innings allowing just two hits and one run.

In game two the Foresters jumped out to a lead in the opening inning. Huntington took advantage of a Lancers miscue to plate a run, but Izzy Waddle who got the start in game two escaped a base loaded situation holding Huntington to just the one run.

Grace wasted little time in answering Huntington's score as they loaded the bases with just one out. McCorkle then got an RBI with a fielder's choice that scored Coan. to tie the game after one.

The second and third innings were scoreless but the Lancers offense came alive in the fourth.

With the bases loaded Emme Meyering hit a grounder to the shortstop and the ensuing throw did not make its connection at first allowing McCorkle and Ladig to score. Coan and Hiss also singled in the frame, getting RBIs for scoring Allie Furches and Meyering to give the Lancers a 5-1 advantage.

A solo run for the Foresters in the fifth frame momentarily put them back in striking distance but the Lancers were about to take a commanding lead.

Meyering, Coan and Rickard all singled to start the sixth inning to load the bases for Hiss. Hiss then hit her first career grand slam to push Grace ahead 9-2.

The home run was her fifth of the year which is second on the team and also pushed her into first on Grace for RBIs with 23.

The Foresters added two runs in the seventh inning but Waddle slammed the door on any hopes of a dramatic comeback to collect the complete game victory.

Rickard was perfect at the plate with four hits while Coan collected three hits and an RBI.

Grace will return to action on Wednesday for a road showdown with Goshen.