By Grant Cook
Grace College Sports Information

Jaden Cardoso and Grace couldn’t slow down IWU Friday afternoon in a doubleheader. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

MARION – Grace College’s softball team lost a pair of contests against No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan on Friday afternoon.

The Lady Lancers dropped the first game 5-0 and fell 9-0 in the backend of the doubleheader.

In the opening game, Grace (3-27, 3-11 Crossroads League) threatened early. Jeri Ellis hit a leadoff single, and Jaden Cardoso followed up with a single. The Lady Lancers could not find the hits to plate either runner.

Dori Knight retired the first four batters for the Wildcats (23-3, 12-2 CL) before allowing a baserunner. IWU used four hits to score five runs to take control in the second inning.

Britney Young and Laikyn Lowe each reached in the fourth inning, but again the Wildcats escaped without surrendering a run.

IWU came close to adding to the lead in the bottom of the fourth. With runners on second and third, Knight recorded her fifth strikeout of the game to end the threat.

Young’s double in the top of sixth would be the last runner the Lady Lancers would have in the 5-0 defeat.

Young went 2 for 3 with a double. Ellis, Cardoso, Lowe and Bethany Gardner also recorded hits.

Knight went the distance in the circle for the Lady Lancers. She struck out five while surrendering five runs.

In the second game the Wildcats continued to find their form.

IWU jumped ahead early with a three-run homerun in the home half of the first.

The Wildcats would add three more in the second. Coming in as relief, Miranda Keller got two quick outs before the Wildcats started a two-run rally to increase their advantage to 6-0.

Grace came close to breaking through in the third inning. Ellis and Cardoso each hit their way on board, and Kaurich reached to load the bases after being hit. The Lady Lancers were unable to take advantage and left all three runners on base.

After scoring one run in the third and two more in the fourth, Grace was on the ropes facing the run rule.

Cardoso reached third base in the top of the fifth, but the Lady Lancers couldn’t advance her to extend the game, falling 9-0.

Cardoso, Ellis and Kaurich had hits. Cassandra Hayes reached safely on both at-bats.

Alexis Bergman got the start and recorded two strikeouts. Kendra Arnold and Keller also got strikeouts in relief.

The Lady Lancers return to action on Saturday when they play host to Spring Arbor at 11 a.m.