FORT WAYNE – Grace’s softball team split the Crossroads League opener on Friday at St. Francis.

Grace’s offense struggled in the opener in a 4-1 defeat, but the team’s bats came alive in the second game in a 10-4 victory.

Dori Knight pitched a strong game in the first half of the twin bill. The freshman threw a complete game, limiting USF to only four hits. The Cougars (8-7, 1-1 CL) managed to walk seven times and scored four runs with limited baserunners.

Grace, on the other hand, outhit USF. The Lady Lancers (7-9, 1-1 CL) had five hits but could only score one run. Chandler Elliott was 2-for-3 with a run driven in, and Emily Bobb was 1-for-1 with a run scored.

In the second game, the Lady Lancers erupted late. Grace found itself struggling to score again early and trailed 3-1 after four innings.

In the top of the fifth, Abby Mozingo plated to cut USF’s lead down to one. In the sixth inning, Grace erupted. Morgan Tapscott doubled, and Sam Heim singled to lead off the inning.

Paige Hlutke then doubled to score two runs and give Grace the lead, and Elliott singled to center to bring in two more runs. With two outs in the inning, Britney Young tripled down the right-field line to score the team’s fifth run of the inning.

The seventh inning saw three more runs for the Lady Lancers. Hannah Herbster singled to bring in Tapscott; Elliott and Ashley Kleinbub also had RBI singles in the inning to give Grace the final 10-4 scoreline.

Mozingo had a memorable game, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four stolen bases, and Kleinbub had a run, hit and two stolen bases.

Elliott had 3 hits, 3 RBIs and 2 doubles, and Hlutke was 2-of-4 with two RBIs. Heim had two hits and a steal, and Tapscott had two runs and a stolen base.

The Lady Lancers end the week on Saturday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at No. 10 Indiana Wesleyan.