Lancer Softball Tops Maple Leafs 1-0 On Senior Day
April 23, 2023 at 8:13 p.m.
Lancer Softball Tops Maple Leafs 1-0 On Senior Day
By Grant Cook-
The Lancers (11-26, 10-22 Crossroads League) dropped the opener 8-7, but responded with a win in the second game behind a pitching gem from Alexis Bergman.
Grace also honored the four members of this year’s senior class. Ashley Beckler, Jeri Ellis, Laikyn Lowe and Carly Ruiz were all recognized following the day's action.
In game one, Ellis looked nearly untouchable early. The senior pitcher sent the first 10 Maple Leaf (23-20, 15-15 CL) batters down in order, and allowed just one hit through the first four innings.
The Lancers captured the first lead of the game in the second inning when Laikyn Lowe blasted a two-out homerun over the left field fence to push Grace ahead 1-0.
The Lancers nearly added on to their lead in the next inning, but after loading the bases with just one one, Goshen was able to escape the inning still down 1-0.
In the fourth inning Lowe would score again. This time the senior got safely aboard with a single and after getting advanced to third base, Montana Brincks produced the RBI to double Grace’s lead to 2-0.
In the fifth inning the Maple Leafs finally found their offensive rhythm. Goshen catapulted into the lead as the plated five runs to take a three-run lead.
Taylor Hodgen got Grace within 5-2 in the sixth inning, but in the top of the seventh frame the Lancers saw their deficit grow to 8-3.
Grace refused to go quietly as Cassie Hayes, Tia O’Connor and Carly Ruiz loaded the base to start the inning. Lowe and Bricks each recorded their second RBI of the game as they closed the deficit to 8-5.
With two-outs Bree Gardinier hit a two-out double that cut Grace’s deficit to just one run. The Maple Leafs would survive the scare though, recording the final out to hold on for the 8-7 win.
Gardinier was a force in game one with three hits and two doubles and two RBIs. Hodgen and Lowe also recorded a multi hit game.
In game two the Lancers were unable to capitalize on a bases loaded opportunity in the first inning, but it didn't matter as Bergman frustrated the Maple Leafs with her performance from the circle.
In the third inning Grace scored what proved to be the only run in game two. Hodgen started the inning with a walk and after a sacrifice bunt from Ellis found herself on second base. O’Connor took advantage of the runner in scoring position, as her single to the outfield did enough to score Hodgen and give Grace the 1-0 lead.
In the fourth inning Goshen seemed poised to respond to Grace’s score after a leadoff single. However, a hard hit line drive directly at O’Connor allowed the Lancers third base to double up Goshen and end the threat.
The pitchers duel continued into the seventh inning as Grace maintained the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh, the Maple Leafs had a runner on third with just a single out. Bergman denied Goshen the sacrifice opportunity with a strikeout, which was followed by a harmless pop fly as Grace held on for the 1-0 victory.
Bergman pitched all seven innings in the win. She had six strikeouts while allowing just five hits. O’Connor had two hits in the game.
The Lancers will return for the final home date on Tuesday as they host St. Francis, before closing out the season with a road trip to Mt. Vernon on Saturday.
Three More School Records Fall For Grace Track
BLOOMINGTON – Grace’s track and field team divided its efforts this week at two high-profile meets.
A large part of Grace’s team competed at the 118th annual Little State Championships, hosted at Indiana Wesleyan. Grace also sent a contingent to Indiana University for the Indiana Invitational.
Overall, Grace set three new school records across the two meets and had several NAIA standards.
INDIANA INVITATIONAL
At IU, Grace was the only non-NCAA Div. I school at the meet. The Lancers competed against schools like Michigan State, Purdue, Butler, Indiana, Miami (Ohio) and Louisville.
Bryan Hernandez-Rios was 12th in the 5,000 with a time of 14:21.76. Brandon Kleber (14:44.79) and Dimitri Margaritidis (14:50.06) also ran well in the event.
Hernandez-Rios now owns the fourth-fastest in the NAIA this season with his school-record performance. Kleber also hit the NAIA “A” standard alongside Hernandez-Rios, and Margaritidis hit the “B” mark.
In the 1,500, Kylie Sauder placed 16th in a time of 4:37.55, and Anna Hulstedt won her heat of the event at 4:41.77. Sauder’s race was an NAIA “B” time and a school record.
The duo also impressed during the 800. Sauder (2:14.24) and Hulstedt (2:15.94) finished fourth and sixth respectively in the race filled with 22 competitors. Sauder’s time was an “A” standard, and Hulstedt’s was a “B” mark.
Tara Friesen also finished ninth in that race (2:16.92), giving the Lady Lancers three finishers in the top 10.
Tanner Sallee grabbed 11th place in the men’s 800 with his finish of 1:56.21, and Carmen Trier raced to a time of 18:19.20 in the women’s 5,000.
LITTLE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lanae Crowe hit a highlight for the throwing crew at Little State. She heaved the discus 149-feet-4; it set a new school record and also hit the NAIA “A” qualifying standard.
Emma Lehman was seventh in the pole vault (10-2), and Emily McCreary was eighth in the high jump (4-11).
Also impressive at the Little State meet was the 5,000 crew. Cole Johnston raced under 15 minutes for the first time (14:56) to set a freshman program record, and Justin Van Prooyen also hit a PR at 15:17.
Morgan Welch ran a 2:23.24 in the 800 to finish seventh; she finished 16th in the 1,500 (5:03.98), one spot behind teammate Addison Grady (5:03.83).
In the men’s javelin, Michael Williams hit the NCCAA standard during his first time throwing the javelin in college (154-6). Zaryn Rumfelt finished runner-up and one spot ahead of Williams with his heave of 158-4.
Esther Cameron placed in the top 10 for the 5,000 with her time of 18:43.22, and Karris Sigler was 13th in the 400 hurdles (1:11.36).
In the men’s steeplechase, Dakota Ames grabbed third place with a time of 9:51.93. In the women’s steeplechase, Katie Acker nabbed fifth place (11:50.90), and Caroline Kolb was ninth (12:30.57).
Malia Butler placed 11th in the women’s long jump (16-8.75), and Korry Hamlin was 10th in the men’s 1,500 (4:03.17).
Brock Lengacher, Bryce Willard and Rumfelt finished 8th, 9th and 10th respectively in the discus, and Rumfelt was ninth in the shot put.
The Lancers have just one more tuneup race left before the postseason. Grace will host its annual home event, the Lancer Invitational, on Friday at the Bernard and Linnie Key Track and Field Complex.
The Lancer Invitational will be live streamed online at www.gclancers.com/live.
Tennis Collects Win Over (RV) Cornerstone
WINONA LAKE - Grace’s men’s tennis team closed out the regular season with another win over a team in the NAIA poll on Saturday.
The Lancers (22-5) eked out a 4-3 win over a scrappy Cornerstone team; the Golden Eagles are receiving votes in the NAIA.
Cornerstone picked up the early advantage by winning the doubles point. Javier Gallego and Pablo Gregori battled to a 7-6 (3) win at No. 1 doubles, but the Lancers fell at the second and third doubles’ courts.
Grace wasted little time regaining the lead, however. Ramiro Candia evened the score with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles, and Gallego won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1.
Facundo Paredes was also quick during his 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles, and Pablo Gregori wrapped up the team win. He battled from behind to win in three sets at No. 4.
The Lancers will now shift their focus to the upcoming NAIA National Championships. Grace has also secured one of the 24 bids by winning the Crossroads League during the fall.
The tournament is scheduled for May 16-20 in Mobile, Ala.
The Lancers (11-26, 10-22 Crossroads League) dropped the opener 8-7, but responded with a win in the second game behind a pitching gem from Alexis Bergman.
Grace also honored the four members of this year’s senior class. Ashley Beckler, Jeri Ellis, Laikyn Lowe and Carly Ruiz were all recognized following the day's action.
In game one, Ellis looked nearly untouchable early. The senior pitcher sent the first 10 Maple Leaf (23-20, 15-15 CL) batters down in order, and allowed just one hit through the first four innings.
The Lancers captured the first lead of the game in the second inning when Laikyn Lowe blasted a two-out homerun over the left field fence to push Grace ahead 1-0.
The Lancers nearly added on to their lead in the next inning, but after loading the bases with just one one, Goshen was able to escape the inning still down 1-0.
In the fourth inning Lowe would score again. This time the senior got safely aboard with a single and after getting advanced to third base, Montana Brincks produced the RBI to double Grace’s lead to 2-0.
In the fifth inning the Maple Leafs finally found their offensive rhythm. Goshen catapulted into the lead as the plated five runs to take a three-run lead.
Taylor Hodgen got Grace within 5-2 in the sixth inning, but in the top of the seventh frame the Lancers saw their deficit grow to 8-3.
Grace refused to go quietly as Cassie Hayes, Tia O’Connor and Carly Ruiz loaded the base to start the inning. Lowe and Bricks each recorded their second RBI of the game as they closed the deficit to 8-5.
With two-outs Bree Gardinier hit a two-out double that cut Grace’s deficit to just one run. The Maple Leafs would survive the scare though, recording the final out to hold on for the 8-7 win.
Gardinier was a force in game one with three hits and two doubles and two RBIs. Hodgen and Lowe also recorded a multi hit game.
In game two the Lancers were unable to capitalize on a bases loaded opportunity in the first inning, but it didn't matter as Bergman frustrated the Maple Leafs with her performance from the circle.
In the third inning Grace scored what proved to be the only run in game two. Hodgen started the inning with a walk and after a sacrifice bunt from Ellis found herself on second base. O’Connor took advantage of the runner in scoring position, as her single to the outfield did enough to score Hodgen and give Grace the 1-0 lead.
In the fourth inning Goshen seemed poised to respond to Grace’s score after a leadoff single. However, a hard hit line drive directly at O’Connor allowed the Lancers third base to double up Goshen and end the threat.
The pitchers duel continued into the seventh inning as Grace maintained the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh, the Maple Leafs had a runner on third with just a single out. Bergman denied Goshen the sacrifice opportunity with a strikeout, which was followed by a harmless pop fly as Grace held on for the 1-0 victory.
Bergman pitched all seven innings in the win. She had six strikeouts while allowing just five hits. O’Connor had two hits in the game.
The Lancers will return for the final home date on Tuesday as they host St. Francis, before closing out the season with a road trip to Mt. Vernon on Saturday.
Three More School Records Fall For Grace Track
BLOOMINGTON – Grace’s track and field team divided its efforts this week at two high-profile meets.
A large part of Grace’s team competed at the 118th annual Little State Championships, hosted at Indiana Wesleyan. Grace also sent a contingent to Indiana University for the Indiana Invitational.
Overall, Grace set three new school records across the two meets and had several NAIA standards.
INDIANA INVITATIONAL
At IU, Grace was the only non-NCAA Div. I school at the meet. The Lancers competed against schools like Michigan State, Purdue, Butler, Indiana, Miami (Ohio) and Louisville.
Bryan Hernandez-Rios was 12th in the 5,000 with a time of 14:21.76. Brandon Kleber (14:44.79) and Dimitri Margaritidis (14:50.06) also ran well in the event.
Hernandez-Rios now owns the fourth-fastest in the NAIA this season with his school-record performance. Kleber also hit the NAIA “A” standard alongside Hernandez-Rios, and Margaritidis hit the “B” mark.
In the 1,500, Kylie Sauder placed 16th in a time of 4:37.55, and Anna Hulstedt won her heat of the event at 4:41.77. Sauder’s race was an NAIA “B” time and a school record.
The duo also impressed during the 800. Sauder (2:14.24) and Hulstedt (2:15.94) finished fourth and sixth respectively in the race filled with 22 competitors. Sauder’s time was an “A” standard, and Hulstedt’s was a “B” mark.
Tara Friesen also finished ninth in that race (2:16.92), giving the Lady Lancers three finishers in the top 10.
Tanner Sallee grabbed 11th place in the men’s 800 with his finish of 1:56.21, and Carmen Trier raced to a time of 18:19.20 in the women’s 5,000.
LITTLE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lanae Crowe hit a highlight for the throwing crew at Little State. She heaved the discus 149-feet-4; it set a new school record and also hit the NAIA “A” qualifying standard.
Emma Lehman was seventh in the pole vault (10-2), and Emily McCreary was eighth in the high jump (4-11).
Also impressive at the Little State meet was the 5,000 crew. Cole Johnston raced under 15 minutes for the first time (14:56) to set a freshman program record, and Justin Van Prooyen also hit a PR at 15:17.
Morgan Welch ran a 2:23.24 in the 800 to finish seventh; she finished 16th in the 1,500 (5:03.98), one spot behind teammate Addison Grady (5:03.83).
In the men’s javelin, Michael Williams hit the NCCAA standard during his first time throwing the javelin in college (154-6). Zaryn Rumfelt finished runner-up and one spot ahead of Williams with his heave of 158-4.
Esther Cameron placed in the top 10 for the 5,000 with her time of 18:43.22, and Karris Sigler was 13th in the 400 hurdles (1:11.36).
In the men’s steeplechase, Dakota Ames grabbed third place with a time of 9:51.93. In the women’s steeplechase, Katie Acker nabbed fifth place (11:50.90), and Caroline Kolb was ninth (12:30.57).
Malia Butler placed 11th in the women’s long jump (16-8.75), and Korry Hamlin was 10th in the men’s 1,500 (4:03.17).
Brock Lengacher, Bryce Willard and Rumfelt finished 8th, 9th and 10th respectively in the discus, and Rumfelt was ninth in the shot put.
The Lancers have just one more tuneup race left before the postseason. Grace will host its annual home event, the Lancer Invitational, on Friday at the Bernard and Linnie Key Track and Field Complex.
The Lancer Invitational will be live streamed online at www.gclancers.com/live.
Tennis Collects Win Over (RV) Cornerstone
WINONA LAKE - Grace’s men’s tennis team closed out the regular season with another win over a team in the NAIA poll on Saturday.
The Lancers (22-5) eked out a 4-3 win over a scrappy Cornerstone team; the Golden Eagles are receiving votes in the NAIA.
Cornerstone picked up the early advantage by winning the doubles point. Javier Gallego and Pablo Gregori battled to a 7-6 (3) win at No. 1 doubles, but the Lancers fell at the second and third doubles’ courts.
Grace wasted little time regaining the lead, however. Ramiro Candia evened the score with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles, and Gallego won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1.
Facundo Paredes was also quick during his 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles, and Pablo Gregori wrapped up the team win. He battled from behind to win in three sets at No. 4.
The Lancers will now shift their focus to the upcoming NAIA National Championships. Grace has also secured one of the 24 bids by winning the Crossroads League during the fall.
The tournament is scheduled for May 16-20 in Mobile, Ala.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092