Fontbonne Softball Suffer Tough Losses Against Millikin University in Season Opener
The Fontbonne University Softball team drops two games in their season opener against Millikin University despite an exciting comeback in the seventh inning in game two.
Story written by Sports Information Intern, Leah Huelsing
DECATUR, Ill. – The Fontbonne University softball team drops two games in their season opener against Millikin University despite an exciting comeback in the seventh inning in game two.
Game 1 Breakdown
After two scoreless innings, Millikin jumped on the board first 2-0 when bases were loaded, and Grace Biondo drove in two runs for the Big Blue.
The Griffins answered on Ellie Bartlett's double in the top of the fourth, bringing the score to 2-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, Millikin broke the game wide open, scoring 7 runs on 5 hits with 2 Griffin errors. Fontbonne dropped game one with a score of 9-1.
Top Griffins – Game 1:
Ellie Bartlett: 1-for-2 with 1 RBI double
Grace Harlin: 1-for-3 with a triple, 1 run scored
Abby Alonzo: 4 innings pitched, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts
Game 2 Breakdown
Millikin claimed a 1-0 lead early in the bottom of the first inning after a ground out RBI by Grace Biondo.
The Griffins scored tied it up in the second after Ellie Bartlett walked and scored on a wild pitch, 1-1.
In the bottom of the second, the Big Blue went ahead 2-1 after Gretchen Gould singled up the middle and scored on an error. Millikin's Maddy Regan hit a line drive home run, driving in two more runs for the Big Blue and stretching the lead to 4-1.
Fontbonne answered with two runs of their own when Gracie Morris was hit by a pitch and scored on a Patience Vandermierden single to right field. Hannah Miener reached on a fielder's choice and scored on an Abby Richmond ground out to shortstop, 4-3.
Millikin added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning.
The seventh inning was the best of the day for the Griffins. Fontbonne Patience Vandermierden earned an RBI with a single out to center field, bringing Hannah Miener in to score. Lexi Becker singled to left field, scoring Vandermierden. Allysa Ibarra game up with a clutch 2-out double to left field, driving in two runs, and tying the game, 7-7. Griffins defense came up big with a Sam Foppe double play to leave Millikin scoreless.
Gracie Morris started off extra innings for the Griffins with a single to center field. Pinch runner, Kassidy Chrisco, then scored on a wild pitch giving Fontbonne their first lead 8-7. Despite Fontbonne tough battle back, the Big Blue scored two in the bottom of the eighth to take the win. The Griffins drop game two with a score of 9-8.
Top Griffins – Game 2
Lexi Becker: 2-for-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI
Allysa Ibarra: 1-for-4 with a 2 RBI double
Hannah Miener: 1-for-3 with 2 runs
Patience Vandermierden: 2-for-4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs
Up Next
The Griffins will now head to Irving, Texas to face the University of Dallas Crusaders on Wednesday, March 9th at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM CST.
About Fontbonne University
Fontbonne University is a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in St. Louis, committed to a transformative education and inspiring students to become global citizens who think critically, act ethically and serve responsibly. The university, founded in 1923, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu.
Make sure to follow softball on all its social media accounts: Twitter (@FBU_Softball), Instagram (@fontbonnesoftball) and Facebook (@FontbonneSoftball).
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