Grace earns split with Cougars
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Grace softball team earned a key split on the road at Saint Francis on Friday. By taking one-of-two, the Lady Lancers are still in the hunt to earn a spot in the Crossroads League Tournament next week.
Grace (13-32, 10-24 CL) dropped the first game 8-3 but scattered seven hits to take the victory in game two 3-2.
In game one, the Cougars got things started with aggressive baserunning in the opening frame, notching three stolen bases in the inning. Grace, however, was able to limit the damage to one run after Montana Brincks produced an outfield assist to nab a runner at the plate.
St. Francis (25-20, 17-16 CL) extended the lead in the bottom of the second to go ahead 5-0, aided by a pair of walks and two singles.
Grace threatened often with at least one baserunner in every inning, but settled for three runs while leaving nine runners on the base paths.
Bethany Gardner paced the Lady Lancers going 3 for 4 from the plate with 1 double and 2 runs. Brincks notched a pair of hits, including a double and run scored. Five others tallied hits for Grace.
The second game saw the Lady Lancers get out to an early lead, plating a run on an RBI single from Jeri Ellis in the first.
Kierstin Fickas started in the circle and pitched well for Grace. She settled in and held St. Francis scoreless through five innings.
The Lady Lancers were able to extend the lead in the fourth. Kendra Arnold singled to lead off the inning. Emily Revercomb came on to pinch run and later scored after back-to-back hits from Bree Gardinier and Brincks.
Grace added an insurance run in the sixth to take a 3-0 lead. Gardinier scored on an RBI fielder’s choice from Gardner.
That run proved to be the difference as the Cougars cut the deficit to one on a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth. The rally was squelched when Gardinier caught a runner stealing to end the inning.
Fickas closed the door in the seventh to notch the complete game victory. She scattered seven hits, allowing two runs with seven strikeouts on the afternoon.
Izabela Duran, Ellis, Gardinier and Arnold each produced two hits, and Cassandra Hayes added a double for the Lady Lancers.
The Lady Lancers will conclude the regular season on Saturday at Marian. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.