Late-inning power gives Grace a split
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Grace’s baseball team battled Saint Francis in the first of two doubleheaders on Thursday afternoon. The Lancers added another late-inning victory to the win column, scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to win the opener 6-5. The back half of the twin bill went to the Cougars 11-1.
Every game counts coming down the stretch in order to land a spot in the conference tournament. Grace was able to keep pace with the teams in close proximity, earning an important split on the road.
The Cougars scored first with a run in the opening frame. The Lancers responded with a pair of runs in their next at-bat to jump ahead 2-1.
Sam Newkirk led off the inning with a single as the visitors later loaded the bases with one out. Gavin Kelley came up clutch to drive in two runs with an RBI single to score Newkirk and Josh Cosme.
Grace held the lead until the fourth until USF tied the ballgame with a home run. An inning later the Cougars tacked on another run to take the lead 3-2.
In the seventh, Sean Gannon garnered a bases loaded walk to bring home the tying run, but the stalemate was short-lived as the home team plated two runs after the seventh inning stretch.
Grace used the long ball to seize momentum and retake the lead late in the game. Cosme launched a leadoff home run to draw within a run. Austin Carr followed with a double to get into scoring position. Kelley, who already had 2 RBIs in the game, belted the second home run of the inning to push ahead 6-5.
Hunter Schumacher came on in relief to nail down the two-inning save. Having already secured the career saves mark earlier this season, he etched his name atop another category. This time for single season saves.
Austin Carr had three hits, two of them doubles, and a run scored. Kelley went 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs and the go-ahead home run.
The Cougars regrouped after dropping the opener to win game two 11-1. USF scored a crooked number in the second inning to take a commanding 6-0 lead.
Grace’s hitters were kept in check for most of the game with the lone run touching home on Carr’s RBI single in the fourth.
USF added five more runs over the final three innings to put the game out of reach.
Jeff Pawlik reached base twice via walk and scored Grace’s run. Cosme smacked an extra base hit in the fifth, but was unable to come around to score. The pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts.
The Lancers will conclude their series with the Cougars on Saturday when they travel back to Ft. Wayne to complete the four-game series. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
Grace celebrated its upcoming renovation project with a groundbreaking ceremony for Tom Roy – UPI Park on Thursday afternoon.