Solid Defense Thwarts Griffins in Low-Scoring Affair
ABILENE, Tx. – The Fontbonne University Softball team loses both against McMurry despite outhitting the Warhawks in both games.
Story written by Sports Information Intern, Leah Huelsing
ABILENE, Tx. – The Fontbonne University Softball team loses both against McMurry despite outhitting the Warhawks in both games.
Game 1 Breakdown
It was a quiet first four innings at Edwards Field in Abilene to start the day for the Griffins apart for a 2-out double to left center for Gracie Morris in the first inning.
In the top of the fourth inning, Ellie Bartlett reached on a fielder's choice. Lilly Jones doubled to left field, advancing Bartlett to third. Both runners were stranded with a ground ball to short for the third out of the inning. The Warhawks were able to get on the board after Brianna Martinez singled to short right field and Kate Casey hit a long fly ball to right field that tipped off Abby Richmond's glove. The Griffins had a great relay throw to third, catching Casey trying to stretch it to a triple. Hailey Kutz rang up two strikeouts in the fourth. 1-0
Defense was key for the Griffins in the bottom of the fifth inning. Alaina Hotop started it out with a great defensive effort, stretching her range to the right and making a nice back handed catch to get the first batter out. Angelica Abila hit a fly ball to center field and advanced to second on a fielding error. Patience Vandermierden made a great play on a ground ball hit up the middle, getting the runner out at first and Alaina Hotop turned a quick throw to home getting the runner out to end the inning. Griffins hold the Warhawks to 1-0.
Ellie Bartlett hit a two-out single to left field, advancing Gracie Morris who was hit by a pitch. Lilly Jones hit a single up the middle, advancing the runners, but Morris was caught trying to advance home on the play for the third out. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Griffins shut the Warhawks down in three up-three down fashion, holding the score at 1-0.
Down 1-0 in the top of the seventh inning, the Griffin's faced their final chance to get on the board. Pinch hitter, Maddie Holtmeyer, was able to get on base with an infield dribbler, beating the throw at first. Holtmeyer was stranded though after a strikeout and a popup to end the game. Warhawks take game one with a narrow 1-0 victory. Kutz had another great game on the mound, pitching six innings with 5 strikeouts, 4 hits, and 1 run.
Top Griffins – Game 1:
Lilly Jones: 2-for-3 with a double
Ellie Bartlett: 1-for-3
Gracie Morris: 1-for-1 with a double
Hailey Kutz: 6 innings pitched, 4 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts
Game 2 Breakdown
The Griffins started out game two with a couple of hits by Lilly Jones and Hannah Miener who were stranded on a grounder for out three. Warhawks' Angelica Abila hit a long fly ball of the wall for a double. Patience Vandermierden fielded a bouncing ground ball cleanly getting the runner at first and Hannah Miener made a quick throw to get the advancing runner out at third. The next batter, Emily Michki, tripled to right field but went nowhere after a good tracking catch at the wall by right fielder, Kassidy Chrisco.
Pitcher, Michaela Mason, helped herself out with a 1-out solo homerun in the second. Patience Vandermierden followed it up with a single to left field and advanced with a stolen base. Griffins strand a runner after a line out and strikeout but take the lead 1-0. The Warhawks immediately tied it up with a solo homerun by Kayla Otis, 1-1.
Fontbonne had their best chance to advance in the top of the sixth as Michaela Mason stayed hot with a double to center field. Patience Vandermierden singled to left field advancing the runner to third. The Warhawks pulled off a double play to get themselves out of a two-on, one out jam. In the bottom of the sixth, Cayleigh England hits a big two-out solo home run to put the Warhawks on top 2-1.
The Griffins battled back in the top of the seventh with a Lexi Becker single to left field, a Lilly Jones single to center field, and a Grace Paez sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. With two outs and runners on second and third, pinch-hitter Ellie Bartlett struck out ending the low-scoring battle with a 2-1 loss for the Griffins.
Top Griffins – Game 2
Michaela Mason: 2-for-3 with a solo home run
Lilly Jones: 3-for-4
Patience Vandermierden: 3-for-3
Michaela Mason: 6 innings pitched, 5 hits, 2 strikeouts, 2 runs
Up Next
The Griffins will head to Monmouth, Illinois to face the Monmouth College Scots on Saturday, March 19th at 1:00 PM and 3:00 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.
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