Griffins Drop Game to Belhaven in Opener

The Fontbonne University softball team faced Belhaven University in game one of the NCAA Regional tournament.

Breakdown

Fontbonne struggled against Belhaven pitching in the top of the first, with the Blazers sitting the first three Griffins down right away. In the bottom of the first, Belhaven got their bats going with three runs on two hits, including a two-run home run. Blazers take the lead, 3-0.

Lexi Becker got it started in the top of the second inning with a one-out walk. Grace Harlin then reached on an error by the third baseman, moving Becker over to third. Harlin went ahead and stole second. Grace Paez singled to left field, earning an RBI as Becker crossed home plate. Michaela Mason walked, loading up the bases. Lilly Jones singled to second base, scoring Harlin and keeping the bases loaded but all three runners are stranded to end the inning. The Blazers looked to add to their lead in the bottom of the second inning and were successful, scoring one run on one hit with one Fontbonne error, 4-2.

The Griffin batters struggled again in the top of the third. Lexi Becker drew another walk but was forced out on a fielder's choice to end their scoring chance. Belhaven seemed to have Fontbonne pitcher, Sam Foppe, timed up in the third inning as they scored another 4 runs on 5 hits to extend their lead to 8-2.   

The top of the fourth didn't fare any better for the Griffins as the first three batters grounded out. Fontbonne freshman, Hailey Kutz, shut down the Blazer offense in the bottom of the fourth leaving them scoreless, 8-2.

Allysa Ibarra attempted to get the bats going with a single to left field. Gracie Morris grounded out to third but advanced the runner to second. Ibarra moved to third on a wild pitch but was left stranded after a Hannah Miener ground out to third base. On defense, Kutz and the Griffin defense did their job again, holding the Blazer to 8-2.

With their chances for a come-back running out, Fontbonne tried to get it going again in the top of the sixth. Lexi Becker singled to third base. Grace Harlin moved Becker over to second on a ground out. Grace Paez laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Becker to third but Becker was stranded again to end their chances. Hailey Kutz had another stellar inning in the bottom of the sixth, shutting down the Blazers with no runs and one hit, 8-2.

Fontbonne had one more chance to generate some runs. Ellie Bartlett stepped in to pinch-hit but grounded out to the third baseman. Lilly Jones hit a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jones was stranded after the next to Griffins grounded out. Fontbonne drops game one of Regional play against Belhaven, 8-2.

Top Griffins – Game 1:

Lilly Jones: 2-for-4 with 1 RBI

Lexi Becker: 1-for-1 with 1 run and 2 walks

Grace Paez: 1-for-2 with 1 RBI

Up Next:

Fontbonne moves to the loser's bracket of the NCAA Regionals Tournament and takes on Linfield on Friday, May 13^th at 2:30pm in Marshall, Texas.

STORY COURTESY OF FONTBONNE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION