Fontbonne Softball Shines Against Westminster on Senior Night

ST. ANN, Mo. – The Fontbonne University softball team sweeps Westminster and clinches the SLIAC Conference title.

Game 1 Breakdown

After a scoreless first inning, Fontbonne started to heat things up. Lexi Becker kicked it off with a double to center field. Grace Harlin followed it up with a double of her own to center field, bringing around Becker to score. Harlin advanced to third on an error by the shortstop on the play. Sam Foppe laid down a sacrifice bunt for an RBI, scoring Harlin. Grace Paez was hit by a pitch and advanced to second after Logan Darrow walked. Lilly Jones singled to the pitcher, scoring Paez. Fontbonne takes the lead in the bottom of the second, 3-0.

Fontbonne's defense held the Blue Jays scoreless in the third inning. Lexi Becker got it going again with a single to center field, then stealing second. Grace Harlin singled to right field, scoring Becker. The Griffins add to their lead, 4-0.

Westminster got on the board in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run homerun by Eva Gannon. For the Griffins, Logan Darrow took a lead-off walk. Lilly Jones put down a sacrifice bunt, moving Darrow over to second. Darrow advanced to third on a wild pitch. With a runner in scoring position, Allysa Ibarra bunt for a hit, earning an RBI has Darrow crossed the plate. Ibarra then stole second. Hannah Miener was hit by a pitch. Lexi Becker walked to load the bases, but all three runners were stranded. Fontbonne maintains their lead, 5-2.

The Blue Jays tried to chip away at the lead away in the top of the sixth inning. They managed to score one run but stranded three runners in the inning. Fontbonne got that run back quickly. Allysa Ibarra singled to left field. Gracie Morris reached on a fielder's choice. Kassidy Chrisco entered as a pinch runner and stole second. Lexi Becker singled to center field, scoring Chrisco, 6-3.

The Griffins hold the Blue Jays in the seventh and take game one of the series, 6-3.

Top Griffins – Game 1:

Lexi Becker: 3-for-3 with 2 runs and 1 RBI

Allysa Ibarra: 2-for-3 with 1 RBI

Grace Harlin: 2-for-4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs

Sam Foppe: Earns the win in the circle, seven innings pitched, 4 hits, 3 strikeouts.

Game 2 Breakdown

The Griffins got it started early in game two. Lead-off batter, Lilly Jones, drew a walk. Allysa Ibarra singled to center field, advancing Jones to second. Sam Foppe laid down a bunt single, loading up the bases. Lexi Becker grounded out to first but scored Jones on the play. Grace Harlin singled to left field, moving around Ibarra to score. The Griffins take the lead early, 2-0.

The second inning was productive again for the Griffins. With two outs, Lilly Jones singled with a bunt. Allysa Ibarra singled to first, advancing Jones to third. Ibarra stole second. Sam Foppe reached on an error by the third baseman, bringing home Jones. Ibarra scored also, bringing the Fontbonne lead to 4-0.

The Blue Jays got on the board in the top of the third inning, with 1 run on 2 hits and 1 error. Fontbonne earned the run back quickly. Lexi Becker stayed hot on the night, with a double to center field. Grace Harlin grounded out but advanced Becker to third. Becker then scored on a passed ball, maintaining the Fontbonne lead, 5-1.

Westminster's offense came alive in the top of the fourth inning. The Blue Jays threatened Fontbonne's lead with 3 runs on 2 hits and 1 error. The Griffins broke it wide open in the bottom of the fourth. Ellie Bartlett started it off with a single to centerfield. Courtney Dingley entered as a pinch runner for Bartlett. Lilly Jones walked, advancing Dingley to second. Allysa Ibarra laid down a perfect bunt to load the bases up. Sam Foppe singled to the pitcher, scoring Dingley and keeping the bases loaded. Hannah Miener stepped up to the plate and hammered a deep ball to center field for a grand slam, giving the Griffins a comfortable lead, 10-4.

Trying to put together another come back, the Blue Jays scored just one run on two hits in the top of the fifth inning. However, they were able to hold the Griffins scoreless in the bottom of the evening, 10-5.

The Blue Jays refused to go down easy, chipping away at the Griffin lead by scoring 2 runs off 2 hits and 1 error. Fontbonne battled back with two runs of their own. Lexi Becker reached on a throwing error by the second baseman and then stole second. Michaela Mason singled to center field, scoring Becker. Logan Darrow reached by an error by the pitcher, moving Mason to third. Darrow stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher that scored Mason. Fontbonne maintains the lead, 12-5.

With their last chance at bat, Westminster tried to generate late inning runs but were only able to bring in 1 run off of 3 hits with 1 left on base. Fontbonne takes game two, 12-8. Michaela Mason earns the win in the circle.

Top Griffins – Game 2

Allysa Ibarra: 3-for-3 with 3 runs

Lilly Jones: 2-for-3 with 3 runs

Sam Foppe: 2-for-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI

Up Next

The Griffins will now face Washington University in St. Louis on Saturday, April 30^th at 12:00 PM and 2:00 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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