FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon, the University of Saint Francis Cougars (24-19; 13-15 Crossroads) played host to the Grace College Lancers (15-22; 9-15 Crossroads) in the final doubleheader of their four-game series at Cougar Field and split the doubleheader dropping the opener 10-8 before winning the finale 14-4.

In addition, the Cougars celebrated Senior Day by recognizing eight individuals for their efforts and dedication to the program throughout their collegiate tenures: Alec Brunson, David Miller, Tyler Prince, Kaden Sullivan, Josh Plumier, Josh Ferguson, Collin Landrum, and Tyler Rickert.

In the opening game, freshman Gavin Noble started on the mound for the Cougars but struggled in the early going. In the opening frame, the Lancers went to work as they capitalized on a fielding error by the Cougars to plate three unearned runs off Noble.

Matters didn't get any better in the second as the leadoff batter hit a single, stole second, came around to score another run, and then a three-run home run put Grace ahead 7-0 in the second, and the Cougars had to play catch up.

Then in the bottom of the third, Saint Francis began to chip away. With one out, a two-run single by Jayden Lepper followed by another two-run hit by Tyler Prince plated four runs in the frame as the Cougars were back in it.

Meanwhile, freshman Andrew Kent came in to relieve in the fourth and pitched brilliantly through the next several innings, keeping the Lancers in check while his teammates went back to work with the bats. A run in the bottom of the sixth and two more in the eighth brought Saint Francis to within one run, now down 8-7 after eight.

But the Lancers added a couple insurance runs in the top of the ninth, and the Cougars could not complete the comeback despite threatening in the bottom of the ninth.

In the finale, the Cougars flipped the script. As senior Kaden Sullivan took the mound to start the game, both teams exchanged a run in the first, and then come the bottom of the second the Cougars broke it open.

It started with a single to center by Jayden Lepper who came around to score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Jose Valdes-Sandoval. Then the Cougars followed up with five hits, two walks, and two hit batsmen to plate eight runs in the inning and go ahead 9-1.

After a couple runs by the Lancers narrowed the deficit in the top of the third, the Cougars then loaded the bases with nobody out in their half of the inning and enjoyed five more runs on four more hits to extend their lead over Grace to 11 runs.

Sullivan then continued his gem on the mound allowing just four runs through five innings pitched. Then the Cougars bullpen came in to close out the Lancers for the victory and the split.

The Cougars resume play on Tuesday evening when they face the Indiana Tech University Warriors (21-17) in a single game at Parkview Field beginning at 3:00 pm.