MELBOURNE, Fla. - Grace College’s softball team capped off a successful six-game road trip in memorable fashion on Friday afternoon.
The Lancers (4-4) picked up a walk-off victory over Siena Heights thanks to an RBI double From Halle Nett that scored Kaitlyn Seagrave from first base to lift Grace to a 2-1 victory.
The Lancers finished the trip with a 4-2 showing after dropping the first game of Friday’s double header 5-0 to Cleary early that afternoon.
Game of the day got off to a promising start for the Lancers when Nett had a lead off single then promptly moved to second with a stolen base.
Grace was unable to do anything with the early scoring though and in the bottom of the opening inning Cleary took a 1-0 with a two-out RBI.
The Lancers had the leadoff hitter safely reach for the second consecutive inning when Tia O’Connor reached on an infield single. Harlow reached via a walk before a long flyout which allowed Grace to threaten again with runners on second and third but the Cougars escaped the inning unscathed.
Cleary doubled their lead in the bottom of the second as Grace's offense went cold over the middle innings.
Sage Ladig and Nett singled in the fifth inning but were left stranded as the Lancers struggled to find timely hitting.
Cleary added three more runs in the sixth inning and Grace was not able to threaten the lead as they dropped the opener 5-0.
Nett had two hits in three at-bats while also picking up a stolen base.
Ellis got the start in game two which proved to be a pitchers duel early. Grace and Siena Heights combined for just three hits through the first three innings of play. The Lancers’ lone hit came from Ellis who had a two-out double in the second inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning O’Connor had a lead off single and was pinch ran for by Kali Kahalekomo. Kahalekomo picked up her third steal of the season as she swiped second base and advanced to third with a ground out.
Avery Sleeth continued her impressive week with a well hit line drive that brought in Kahalekomo for the game’s first run.
In the bottom of top of the fifth inning the Saints matched Grace’s score after taking advantage of a defensive miscue to tie the game at one.
After Siena Heights tied the game, Ellis took complete control of the game as she showed her command from the circle as she retired the final seven batters of the game to set the stage for the Lancers dramatic win.
With one in the bottom of the seventh inning, Montana Brincks singled to right field and Seagrave was tabbed as the pinch runner to represent the winning run.
The walk-off RBI came courtesy of Nett as the freshman blasted the ball into left that allowed Seagrave to safely cross home plate and secure the Lancer win.
For the afternoon Nett finished with four hits/ Ellis picked up the win in game two which was her fourth victory of the week.
The Lancers will return home next week for a Tuesday showdown with Crossroads League foe No. 10 Marian. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Grace Earns Overall No. 1 Seed For NAIA Tournament
WINONA LAKE - Grace’s men’s basketball team learned its placement in the 2024 NAIA National Championships on Thursday night.
The Lancers were given the overall No. 1 seed in the 64-team bracket, earning that distinction for the first time in team history. Grace was also one of the four No. 1 seeds last season.
Grace (30-1) will host the opening weekend of the tournament at home. The Winona Lake pod includes three other teams competing at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center, including No. 8 Union (Ky.), No. 9 Ottawa (Ariz.) and No. 16 Washington Adventist (Md.).
Grace will host No. 16 Washington Adventist on Friday at 5 p.m. in the NAIA First Round (presented by Ballogy). No. 8 Union and No. 9 Ottawa will play afterwards at 8 p.m.
The winner of the First Round games will play at the MOCC on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the NAIA Second Round. The winner of that game will earn a spot to the NAIA’s final site in Kansas City.
Grace advanced to the NAIA’s Elite Eight last year, the team’s deepest run in the NAIA Div. I tournament.
The Lancers are enjoying back-to-back 30-win seasons for the first time in program history.
To purchase tickets to next week’s NAIA games, visit www.gclancers.com/tickets. To watch the live videostream, visit www.gclancers.com/live.
NAIA FIRST AND SECOND ROUND
GAME SCHEDULE - Winona Lake Bracket
Friday, March 15
5 PM - No. 1 Grace vs No. 16 Washington Adventist
8 PM - No. 8 Union vs No. 9 Ottawa
Saturday, March 16
5 PM - Winner of Tuesday's games