Fontbonne Softball Earns First Sweep of the Year against Dallas

Story written by Sports Information Intern, Leah Huelsing

IRVING, Tx. – The Fontbonne University softball team dominated University of Dallas in both games with an explosive offense and a formidable defense. 

Game 1 Breakdown

The Griffins took the lead early on a Ellie Bartlett sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Lexi Becker who had singled to center, 1-0. The Crusaders answered back scoring Lizette Sosa after she tripled to left center. Griffin's catcher, Grace Paez, had a great throw to second, catching the runner stealing and holding the Crusaders to 1-1.

Fontbonne took the lead again in the top of second on a big home run to left field by Gracie Morris, 2-1. 

Lily Jones came out hot in the third inning with a double to left field and later scored on a fielder's choice ground out to shortstop by Ellie Bartlett for an RBI, 3-1. Fontbonne blanks the Crusaders again in the bottom of the third. 

The Crusaders added a run in the bottom of the fourth, scoring Brenna Kelly after she doubled to left center, 3-2.

The Griffins cracked the game open with a big fifth inning. Lily Jones started the streak with a double to left field. Ellie Bartlett singled to right field, scoring Lily Jones and earning an RBI. Grace Paez lined out to center field but also earned an RBI, scoring Grace Harlin who was hit by a pitch. Alaina Hotop doubled to right center, ringing up an RBI as Ellie Bartlett came around to score. Alaina Hotop stole home to bring the score to 7-2.

Lily Jones came up big again in the top of the sixth with a bunt single to third base. Ellie Bartlett earned herself another RBI on the day, scoring Lily Jones, 8-2.

The Griffins added a run in the top of the seventh when errors by the Crusader defense allowed Alaina Hotop for a final score of 9-2. Fontbonne's combined pitching effort by Abby Richmond and Hannah Borgmeyer was strong the entire game, holding the Crusaders to 2 runs on 5 hits. 

Top Griffins – Game 1:

Lily Jones: 5-for-5 with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored

Grace Paez: 2-for-3 with 1 double and 1 RBI

Patience Vandermierden: 2-for-3 with 3 stolen bases

Ellie Bartlett: 1-for-2 with 4 RBIs

Game 2 Breakdown

The first inning was quiet for both the Griffins and the Crusaders. Freshman pitcher, Hailey Kutz, came out strong with two strikeouts in the first, 0-0.

Allysa Ibarra started off the second inning with a single up the middle. Patience Vandermierden singled, moving Ibarra to second. Hannah Miener reached on an error and Alyssa Ibarra scored on the play. Grace Harlin tripled to left center, tallying up 3 RBIs and driving in driving in Lexi Becker, Hannah Miener, and Patience Vandermierden, 4-0. Hailey Kutz earned another scoreless inning in the circle, adding another strikeout and keeping the Griffins in the lead, 4-0.

Ellie Bartlett singled to center field. Allysa Ibarra walked and scored on a Maddie Holtmeyer single RBI. Lexi Becker hit a hard ground ball to shortstop, forcing an error and scoring Maddie Holtmeyer. Grace Harlin stayed hot with a 2 RBI single, scoring Abby Richmond and Hannah Miener. Gracie Morris singled on a hard line drive to left field, moving Grace Harlin and Lexi Becker across home plate and bringing Fontbonne's lead to 10-0. Hailey Kutz was dominant again in the circle in the third for the Griffins with a three up-three down performance with two more strikeouts, 10-0. 

The Griffins did not let up in the fourth inning. Allysa Ibarra started it off again with a single to left field. Abby Alonzo pinch hit for Richmond, earning her first career hit and RBI, scoring Ibarra on a line drive to left field. Lexi Becker kept the train moving with a 2 RBI single, driving home Abby Alonzo and Hannah Miener. Gracie Morris added to the lead with an RBI single that moved Lexi Becker around to score, 14-0. Hailey Kutz held the Crusaders scoreless with three strikeouts in the fourth, maintaining the 14-0 lead. 

The fifth inning proved scoreless for the Griffins, but the damage was already done. Pitcher, Hailey Kutz, struggled in the final inning but was resilient, capping off a stellar performance on the mound with 11 strikeouts, giving Fontbonne their second win 14-4. 

Top Griffins – Game 2

Gracie Morris: 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs

Allysa Ibarra: 3-for-3 with 3 runs scored

Grace Harlin: 2-for-3 with 5 RBIs

Hailey Kutz: 5 innings pitched, 4 hits, 11 strikeouts

Up Next

The Griffins make a trip over to Abilene, Texas to face Hardin-Simmons on Thursday, March 10^th at 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. 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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