WINONA LAKE - The Lancers matched up well with conference foe St. Francis, but dropped a doubleheader 10-9 and 10-3 Tuesday.

In one of the best games the team has played this season, Grace went up 4-0 in the third inning of game one behind a double by Chad Newhard, a triple by Josh Bailey and a single by John Edwards. However, St. Francis scored five runs in the fifth on three walks, a double and a grand slam. The Lancers answered with two more in their half of the fifth as Steve Babinski led off with a single, moved up on an error, and scored on a base hit by Andy Manes. Manes later scored on a single by Mike Cox to regain the lead 6-5.

In the top of the sixth, St. Francis scored on a sacrifice fly and a two-run homer to go up 8-6. Grace then answered with RBI singles by Newhard and Manes, and the game was tied. Neither team scored in the seventh, but St. Francis scored twice in the eighth.

The Lancers rallied with two outs as Newhard stroked his fourth hit of the day, Manes walked, and Bailey singled to score Newhard. However, Kenneth Ross flied out to center to end the game.

In the second game, the Lancers scored in the first on a single by Babinski, who later scored on a ground out by Andy Manes.

St. Francis evened the score with one in the third. The Lancers went up 3-1 in the fourth as Bailey doubled, John Edwards singled, and both scored on a single by Mike Cox. However, in the sixth inning, the Cougars began to rally off of Lancer starter John Turrell, who had been throwing a good game. Two singles, a fielder's choice and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out. A fly ball to right was caught and then dropped, allowing two runs to score. After a pop-up to the catcher, an error by the shortstop allowed another run to score. Four more runs would score in the inning, and the Cougars had opened up a 7-3 lead. They added three more in the seventh for the win.

John Turrell went 6 1/3 innings for the loss. He allowed just two earned runs.

The Lancers fell to 0-6 in the just two earned runs.

The Lancers fell to 0-6 in the MCC and 2-17 overall. They will travel to Marian Thursday at 1 pm.

Manchester 5, Wabash 4; Manchester 23, Wabash 10

At North Manchester, Manchester College came from behind for a 5-4 victory in game one and continued the momentum with a 23-10 win in game two to defeat Wabash in the ICAC baseball opener for the Spartans Tuesday.

In game one, Wabash led 4-1 before Manchester scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game. In the first extra frame, the Spartans put a run on the board for the win.

Trevor Haley hit a homer and drove in three runs in the win. Matt Dyer and Brandon Baker also hit home runs.

In game two, Manchester scored seven runs in the third and 12 in the fifth after falling behind 9-8 to dominate Wabash.

Mike Salinas was 4 for 5 batting with seven RBIs for Manchester. Baker had four hits and drove in four.

MANCHESTER 5, WABASH 4

Wabash 200 110 00 - 4 12 2

Manchester 000 100 31 - 5 7 2

Manchester hits - Baker 2, Haley 2, Dyer 1, Fuelling 1, Gorball 1

Manchester doubles - Baker, Haley

Manchester home runs - Baker, Dyer, Haley

Winning pitcher - Fike

MANCHESTER 23, WABASH 10

Wabash 011 251 0 - 10 11 4

Manchester 017 0(12)3 0 - 23 19 2

Manchester hits - Baker 4, Salinas 4, Collinsworth 4, Hersey 2, Haley 2, Dyer 1, Fuelling 1, Stroup 1

Manchester doubles - Baker, Dyer, Fuelling, Collinsworth

Winning pitcher - Fike

• Softball

St. Francis 2, Grace 1; St. Francis 9, Grace 6

At Fort Wayne, the Lancers dropped two games to St. Francis Tuesday afternoon 2-1 and 9-6.

Jori Janigian pitched a good game in the opener, allowing just two runs and striking out five batters. But the Lancers scored just one run in the game. Laura Thomas reached on an error in the second and later stole home for the only run. Grace had six hits in the game.

In the nightcap, the Lancers scored early as Sheila Horst was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a grounder by Liz Thomas. St. Francis scored three times in the bottom of the first, and the Lancers answered with one in the second and one in the third to tie the score. St. Francis went up again with one in the third and another in the fourth for a 5-3 lead. The Lancers came back with three runs in the sixth on singles by Kelli Irish and Kelly Milbrandt, a double by Sheila Horst, and a single by Liz Thomas to take the lead 6-5. In the bottom of the sixth inning, with two outs, an error by the pitcher allowed a runner on, and the Cougars scored four runs before the Lady Lancers could get another out. St. Francis won 9-6.

Rachel Liebsch took the loss.

The Lancers fell to 5-9 overall and 3-3 in the MCC. They will host Indiana Wesleyan Thursday at 3 pm.

Bluffton 9, Manchester 2; Manchester 10, Bluffton 7

At North Manchester, Manchester struggled to score runs in the opening game but got the offense rolling in game two to pick up a doubleheader split Tuesday.

In game one, Khara Hamilton doubled home Janae Kraud in the first inning to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The game was tied at 2-2 in the fifth before Bluffton scored on a double and an error. Bluffton added three more runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh for the win.

Kraud, Hamilton, Cathy Bounds and Crystal MacLaughlin each had a hit.

In game two, Manchester scored three times in the first to jump out to a quick lead. The Spartans sealed the win with two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

Patricia Bonebrake, Hamilton and MacLaughlin each had two hits. Kraud scored three runs and MacLaughlin drove home three.

Manchester is now 5-7 on the year and will host Anderson on Thursday. [[In-content Ad]]