FORT WAYNE, Ind. - On Friday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (23-18; 13-13 Crossroads) would take on the Grace University Lancers (14-21; 8-14 Crossroads) today in a hot and sunny afternoon doubleheader, and swept both games winning by scores of 5-3 and 2-1.

As the first game got underway, the game would open in the top of the first with the Lancers coming out hot, hitting a line drive to center field allowing a runner to score. But the cougars would respond to this run in the bottom of the first. As David Miller would hit a line drive past the second baseman allowing Xavier Nolan to score. This would tie the game at 1-1 for the next few innings.

However, the Cougars would finally break out into a hit parade in the bottom of the third. It would start with Sam Pesa hitting a double that would allow three-run RBI making it 4-1. Then Jayden Lepper would hit a double to center field allowing Pesa to finish what he started, extending the lead to 5-1 ending the third inning.

The Lancers would respond with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth to let a runner score making it 5-2, it would be the only response they could muster for a while. Another sacrifice fly would come in the top of the fifth for the Lancers to make it 5-3.

Cougar pitcher Casey Henry would go to work not allowing another run through 8 straight innings. As Collin Wood would relieve him in the top of the ninth, the Cougars would secure their 5-3 victory on a triple play to end the game. The Cougars would run away taking the victory in the first game of the series.

As the Cougars and Lancers started the second game of the series, the narrative would sound similar to the start of the first game. The Lancers would hit another line drive to center field allowing a runner to score making it 1-0 in the top of the second. But the Cougars are a team that loves to respond to the offensive challenge. Jayden Lepper would hit a double, steal to third on an error, and run to home on a single by Brendan Lytle to make it a 1-1 tie game ending the second.

The game would be a long defensive battle between both teams, as the game would be scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth pinch hitter, Mike Jovanovic would hit a line drive to centerfield allowing Jose Valdez-Sandoval to score making it a 2-1 Cougar lead.

Cougars pitcher Corey Wolter would seal the game by not allowing a single run the rest of his time on the mound. The Cougars would overcome the Lancers winning the game 2-1 and winning the Friday series. It would be a Good Friday all around for the Cougars.

The Cougars will return to doubleheader action Saturday when they wrap up their four-game series against Grace at Cougar Field beginning at 1:00 pm.