Lancers Rout League Foe HuntingtonWINONA LAKE – The Grace College baseball team picked up a marquee win, downing Crossroads League rival Huntington University 12-2 on Thursday in the Lancers’ home opener.
Huntington, which started the day atop the Crossroads League standings, was stunned by the Lancers as the hosts produced 10 hits in the rout.
The Foresters (11-8, 7-3 CL) struck first in the top of the first inning with a single run, but the Lancers countered with three big innings.
In the bottom of the second, Grace scored three runs with two outs against them. Sam Newkirk was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and David Anderson followed that up with a two-run double to put Grace up 3-1.
Grace loaded the bases again in the third. Mitchell Enyart and Branden Scott drove in runs, and Sam Newkirk executed a squeeze bunt to plate another. Hunter Ackerman brought in two more runs with a single to left field, capping off a five-run inning.
In the fourth inning, Chris Griffin, RJ Snyder and Jaron Mullett crossed the plate to give the Lancers (8-11, 4-6 CL) a commanding 12-1 lead.
Josh Tew and Jordan Noska took care of the rest from the mound. Although each pitcher gave up hits, Grace’s defense refused to surrender a big inning by the Foresters.
Tew allowed two runs and 10 hits in 4-1/3 innings, walking none and striking out five to pick up the win. Noska did not allow a run to score over the final 2-2/3 innings, striking out four and yielding four hits.
Enyart batted 3 for 3 with two runs and an RBI, and Newkirk was 1 for 3 with a run and three RBIs. Xavier Harris, Snyder and Griffin each plated twice, and Scott was 1 for 2 with a run and two RBIs.
Anderson drove in three runs, and Ackerman had a hit and two RBIs.
After waiting 30 minutes in a rain delay, the teams decided to postpone the second game of the doubleheader.
The Lancers will conclude their series with Huntington on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. at Miller Athletic Complex. If weather is a factor, that series may change dates again.
