WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College’s softball started Crossroads League play with a statement win on Tuesday afternoon.
The Lancers (5-5, 1-1 Crossroads League) picked up 8-0 victory over No. 10 Marian in five innings to cap off their first taste of Crossroads League action of the 2024 season.
Jeri Ellis picked up the shutout victory just a day after she was named the Crossroads League Pitcher of the Week.
The tenth ranked Knights (12-2, 1-1 CL) are the highest ranked opponent that Grace has beaten since 2017. The Lancers' victory marked the first time that Marian has been run-ruled since the 2018 season.
In the first game of the doubleheader, Grace was able to find little success against the No. 10 Knights.
Marian scored three runs in each of the first two innings and led 7-0, before Grace broke up the shutout in the third inning.
In the home-half of the third Kaitlyn Seagrave reached on a single and eventually came around to score after a misplayed fly ball by the Knights defense.
Marian added three more runs in the fifth inning to push their lead to 10-1.
In the bottom of the fifth Seagrave had a two-out triple that she scored on when an attempt to throw her out at third base sailed high. Grace was unable to get any closer however, dropping the opener 10-2.
In game two Ellis got the start in the circle and set tone early, striking out the Knights first batter of the game.
Freshman Halle Nett then had a leadoff single to start the bottom of the first inning before stealing second base. Bella Duran followed up the steal with a single to give Grace runners on the corners with no outs. The Lancers continued to demonstrate their speed on the basepaths when Duran swiped second base.
Ellis and Cassie Hayes each showed great patience at the plate as they earned back-to-back walks which scored Nett for Grace’s first lead of the game.
Madison Gainey doubled the Lancers lead with a sacrifice fly which gave Grace a 2-0 lead entering the second frame.
The Knights nearly took advantage of a two-out error in the second inning but Grace’s defense buckled down and closed out the inning without surrendering a run.
When it was their turn at the plate again, the Lancers continued to pour on the offense.
Chloe Huff had a leadoff single and immediately came around to score thanks to an RBI triple from Seagrave. Nett then singled in Seagrave as Grace’s lead grew to 4-0.
Nett advanced to second with a steal and Duran also reached with a single as the Lancers' parade to the plate continued.
Duran picked up her second steal of the game which set the plate for a two-RBI single from Ellis as she contributed to her own cause.
The third inning passed without incident before Grace struck again in the fourth frame.
After sending the Knights down in order in the top of the inning, Ellis was Grace's first base runner in the bottom of the frame and she represented Grace’s seventh run of the game when she scored on a Hayes double.
Kali Kahalekomo was subbed in to pinch run for Hayes and she scored after Grace’s fourth double of the game, courtesy of Gainey, pushed the Lancers lead to 8-0.
Marian tried to extend the contest in the fifth inning but Ellis dashed any hopes of a comeback with a strikeout and pair of weakly hit ground balls that sealed the 8-0 win for Grace.
All nine batters had a hit for Grace in game two, led by Nett, Duran and Hayes who all had two. Ellis, Hayes and Gainey all had two RBIs.
Grace also collected four stolen bases and five extra-base hits. Ellis went all five innings in game two and allowed just four hits.
The Lancers will return to action on Friday for another showdown with a top-25 opponent Grace is scheduled to host No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan at 1 p.m.

Lancers Conclude Non-Conference Play At IU Kokomo
KOKOMO, Ind. - Grace’s baseball team finished up the non-conference portion of the schedule with a single nine-inning game against IU Kokomo on Tuesday afternoon, falling 11-3.
The Lancers (7-11) struck first, but the Cougars (15-11) used two multi-run innings to take command.
Maximo De Leon opened the scoring for the day when he touched home on Austin Carr’s RBI double in the opening frame.
IU Kokomo plated the next 11 runs of the game to seize control and hold a ten run advantage after four innings of play.
Grace extended the game with runs in the fifth and sixth innings to cut the deficit to eight.
Addison Hickman earned a walk and a stolen base to get into scoring position. Situational hitting from Maximo De Leon moved him to third after a single. De Leon then forced the Cougars to make a play by stealing second which allowed Hickman to score from third.
An inning later, Grant Hartley launched his team-leading fifth home run of the year to add a run.
The Lancers held IUK scoreless after the fourth inning with two of those innings being of the three up, three down variety.
Grace pitched by committee with six players getting work on the afternoon. Joey Springer, Isaac Roberts and Kyle Showley combined to allow two hits and zero runs over the final four frames. The Lancers collected seven strikeouts on the day.
De Leon ended the day 2 for 5 with a stolen base and a run. Hartley had two extra-base hits on the afternoon with a double and a home run.
The Lancers will resume Crossroads League play with a four-game series at No. 9 Taylor. The doubleheader matchups are scheduled for March 14 and March 16, respectively. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. each day.