WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The IU Columbus baseball team faced a tough doubleheader loss on the road against Grace College (IN) Tuesday afternoon. The day started with a 5-2 loss in the opener, followed by a blowout in Game 2, where IU Columbus fell 21-3.

Game 1: Grace College, 2-5

The first game was a back-and-forth affair, but the Crimson struggled to break through offensively against Grace's solid pitching. Despite a late push in the fourth and fifth innings, the team couldn't overcome an early deficit.

Grace struck first in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of an error to score their opening run. The Lancers doubled their lead in the second inning thanks to a solo home run by Gabriel Maldonado and a run that came off a passed ball. IU Columbus responded in the fourth inning when Wyatt Sutton singled to bring in John Bloom for the Crimson Pride's first run of the game.

IU Columbus added another run in the fifth inning when John Codner reached base on a dropped third strike, allowing Brevin Barker to score. However, Grace answered with a run of their own in the sixth after a hit-by-pitch and a run from Keenan LeBlanc.

IU Columbus couldn't mount a comeback in the final innings, finishing with just two runs on two hits. The Crimson Pride also struggled with strikeouts, tallying 11, and left eight runners stranded on base.

On the mound, Brendan Bailey took the loss after pitching 1.2 innings and allowing three runs, while Jackson Gilcrest pitched 4.1 innings of relief, giving up two more runs.

Game 2: Grace College, 3-21

Game 2 saw IU Columbus unable to contain the Grace offense, as the Lancers exploded for 21 runs on 19 hits. The Crimson Pride's defense and pitching faltered, and they could not keep up with Grace's offensive surge.

Grace jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by Dalton Cody's home run and multiple errors by the Crimson Pride. From there, the Lancers continued to pile on the runs, particularly in the fourth inning, where they scored 13 times. Gabriel Maldonado and Cody were key contributors for Grace, both with multi-RBI performances.

IU Columbus only managed three runs in the entire game. Brevin Barker's sacrifice in the third inning brought in Tarron White, and then in the seventh, Barker's fly ball allowed White and Ethan Guire to score after an error by Grace's center fielder. That was all the offense the Crimson Pride could muster, as they finished the game with just five hits.

On the mound, Griffin Stromberg struggled, taking the loss after allowing five runs over two innings. The bullpen, consisting of Blake Nigg, Carson Smith, Spencer Fay, Nathan Van Bibber, Aiden Hapner, and Aiden Thompson struggled to contain Grace's offense, surrendering 16 more runs.

Looking Ahead

The Crimson Pride look to get back in the win column, with an opportunity this weekend in a three-game conference series against Brescia University (Ky.) at home. The first game is scheduled to start Friday (Mar. 28) at 3:00 PM, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday (Mar. 29).