No. 3 Knights edge out Grace
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace could not keep pace with No. 3 Marian’s high-powered softball team on Saturday, losing 9-1 and 10-2.
The Lady Lancers managed to score in the first inning of each game, but Grace was unable to maintain its offense throughout both ballgames.
Both teams were poised for big starts to the opener. Marian had three hits in the first inning, but Sam Heim held Marian to just one run from the mound.
Grace responded immediately. Heim hit a leadoff single and stole second base. She came home to score with two outs after a double by Britney Young tied the game.
The Lady Lancers (9-27, 5-19 Crossroads League) could have scored more with the bases loaded, but Marian escaped with a strikeout.
The Knights (38-0, 26-0 CL) had baserunners in almost every inning and eventually pulled ahead 4-1 after four innings. Marian was able to tack on five more runs over the final two innings, and Grace came up empty in response.
The Lady Lancers did place two runners on base in the seventh thanks to singles from Taylor Asher and Heim, but the game ended with a ground out.
Heim batted 2 for 3 with a run scored, and she also pitched the first 5 1/3 innings from the mound.
Grace could not slow down Marian’s offense in the second game and rarely threatened. The Knights held a 17-5 advantage in hits, although all but three of those hits were singles.
Marian scored two runs in the first, second, third, fifth and seventh innings.
The Lady Lancers again scored a run in the bottom of the first. Jessica Kaurich hit a two-out RBI single to plate Jess Vandenboom.
Grace’s only other run came in the fourth after Heim singled to bring in Andrea Castillo.
Olivia Scarbrough was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice hit, and Castillo added 1 hit, 1 run and 1 walk.
The Lady Lancers remain at home on Tuesday, hosting Taylor for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
