Goshen, IN — After snow, rain and bitter cold temperatures either cancelled or postponed all Goshen baseball games since the squad returned from Kentucky and Tennessee two weeks ago, the weather finally broke long enough for the Leafs to kick off their home season on Friday.

It was a warm, dry mid-March afternoon that did not go to waste.

Goshen (3-3, 2-0) used a pair of solid pitching performances and a consistent effort at the plate to down Mid-Central Conference divisional rival Grace College, winning Game One by a 6-1 score and taking the second contest 6-0. With the addition of Spring Arbor University to the MCC this year, the conference is now aligned with two divisions. Goshen, Grace, Spring Arbor and Bethel College make up the north division, while Indiana Wesleyan University, Marian College, Huntington College, the University of St. Francis and Taylor University comprise the southern portion. After being forced to practice indoors for nearly two weeks and game after game was deemed unplayable due to weather — the Leafs missed their last four consecutive original game dates — first-year head coach Jayson Best said he was pleased with his team’s performance in its home opener.

“It’s good to get two conference wins but it’s especially important to get wins in our division,” Best said. “We struggled a bit out of the gate today, but after we changed our approach at the plate we were able to put some runs together.”

Junior Ben Taylor (1-1) garnered the pitching win in the day’s first contest, though the Lancers were able to strike first by scoring a run in the first inning. Grace’s 1-0 lead would last until the bottom of the third, when Goshen finally got things working at the plate. Senior Erik Hisner led the charge, going 3-3 in the game while scoring a run and knocking in another off a double. Sophomore Greg Koop also was impressive in his first home contest, going 2-3 from the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Freshman Tom McDowell was also 2-3, scoring a run.

Taylor struck out seven Lancer batters and offered only one walk in his pitching effort.

“Ben was not himself today but he battled through it and did what it took to get batters out,” Best said. “He was leaving the ball up in the zone a lot but we were able to make the plays when we needed to.”

The Leafs’ pitching and defense continued to get it done in the day’s second game, as senior Josh Snyder (1-0) delivered the shutout with three strikeouts and no walks. Goshen scored four of its six runs in the first two innings of play, making a comeback a daunting task for the Lancers. Senior Brad Miller finished 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while sophomore Brian Shelton homered. That highlighted a 2-3 effort from the plate with a pair of runs scored and an RBI.

“Brian Shelton is showing signs of coming around with his bat and Hisner is starting to look like he has in the last three years,” Best said. “Josh Snyder threw the ball exceptionally well today. He’s battled tendonitis in his arm but has done exactly what we’ve needed from him each time out. He has a win and a save in his two outings.”

Goshen was slated to meet up with Marian on Saturday, but that game was postponed due to rain. Barring any make-up games preceding, the Leafs next contest will be Thursday, when the team hosts MCC rival Bethel. Game time for Game One is set for 1 p.m.