WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team split a doubleheader Monday with Grace College to conclude the four-game series, falling 14-11 in game one before responding with a 9-4 victory in the nightcap.
 
With the split, Spring Arbor finished the four-game series with Grace even at two games apiece.
 
 
Game One | Grace 14, SAU 11
 
Spring Arbor jumped out to an early lead 4-1 lead in the opener. However, Grace used a seven-run third inning to swing momentum and seize control of the game.
 
The Lancers extended their lead to 14-6 through six innings. The Cougars attempted a late rally, pushing across one run in the seventh and four more in the ninth, but the comeback effort came up short.
 
Aiden Brunin paced the SAU offense, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Nate Dutkowski also recorded two hits, while Connor Reed scored three runs. Brenden Phillips added two runs scored and drove in a pair.
 
 
Game Two | SAU 9, Grace 4
 
Grace struck first in the second game with two runs in the opening inning, but Spring Arbor quickly answered. The Cougars plated two runs in the second, two more in the third and added another in the fourth to take the lead.
 
Spring Arbor broke the game open in the sixth inning when Joey Tessmer launched a grand slam to extend the Cougar lead.
 
Tessmer finished with four RBIs and a run scored. Connor Dee and Zach Adams each recorded two hits, while Dutkowski drove in two runs.
 
Colin Snyder earned the win on the mound, tossing a complete game and striking out seven batters over seven innings.
 
Spring Arbor hosts Siena Heights University in a non-conference tilt on Tuesday, Mar. 10 starting at 6 p.m.