NAPPANEE, Ind. - The Goshen baseball team picked up a conference win against Grace on Friday evening at the Field of Dreams Complex in Nappanee. Eric Pettipiece got the win after throwing 6.1 innings, Chase Smith hit two homers and the Leafs topped the Lancers 9-5.

After a quick first inning by both teams, Chase Smith him a home run to center after Fernando Marte Santana hit a double just before to put the Leafs on top 2-0. Grace tied it in the top of the fourth but Goshen scored six runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth. Justin Dambruck hit a bases clearing double to right center to make it 5-2. He scored on a wild pitch later on to extend the lead to 6-2. Chase Smith hit a solo shot and Nick Padron scored on an error to make it 8-2.

Grace scored a run in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings but it wasn't enough to make up for the deficit created in the fifth inning. The final run for the Leafs came in the seventh as Fernando Marte Santana stole third and scored on an error by the catcher.

Eric Pettipiece went 6.1 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out eight. It was his highest strikeout total in a game since February 25, 2023 at Brescia and his highest ever in a conference game. Chase Smith was 3-3 with two home runs and a single. He scored twice and had three RBIs with a walk and a stolen base added on. Smith has three home runs in the last three games. Four of his six career collegiate home runs have come from two games - two against Grace this season and two in the first of two games against Huntington on April 5 last season. Fernando Marte Santana was 3-4 with two doubles and two runs. Justin Dambruck had three RBIs.

Goshen will face Grace again in Nappanee at NorthWood High School on Saturday in a doubleheader with the first game being nine innings and game two being seven. The first pitch is set for 2:00 pm.