Extra Inning Excitement for Fontbonne Softball against Eureka College

ST. ANN, Mo. – The Fontbonne University softball team battles hard to earn the win in extra innings and splits the series against Eureka College.

Game 1 Breakdown

The Griffins came into game one of the series against Eureka College with a nine-game winning streak. Eureka College had a damaging top of the second inning, with 3 hits, 1 walk, and 4 runs as they took the lead, 4-0.

Abby Alonzo came in at pitcher in the top of the fourth and held the Red Devils silent through four innings, with no hits and three strikeouts. Fontbonne didn't generate any offense until the bottom of the sixth. Logan Darrow singled to center field. Grace Paez moved Darrow to second with a sacrifice bunt. Gracie Morris reached on a fielding error, scoring Darrow. It was too little, too late for the Griffins, as they drop game one against Eureka College, 4-1.

Top Griffins – Game 1:

Lilly Jones: 2-for-4

Abby Alonzo: 4 innings pitched, 0 hits, 3 strikeouts

Game 2 Breakdown

Fontbonne's hitting woes from game one was a thing from the past in game two against the Red Devils. Eureka College jumped out on top again in the top of the first with 2 hits and 1 run. Allysa Ibarra doubled to right field but was stranded to keep the Griffins trailing, 1-0.

The Red Devils showed their horns in the top of the third, racking up 7 hits and scoring 6 runs. Logan Darrow doubled to center field and advanced to third on a passed ball. Lilly Jones had a ground out RBI, scoring Darrow. The Griffins chipped away at the lead, 7-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fontbonne's bats started to heat up. Abby Alonzo hit a big solo home run to left field, her fourth of the season. Lexi Becker singled to center field and then stole second base. Grace Harlin singled to center field, scoring Becker on the play. Alaina Hotop singled to left field, moving Harlin around to score. The Griffins keep chipping away at the big Red Devils' lead, 7-4.

The Red Devils answered back with a Mackenzie Daniels solo home run of their own in the top of the fifth inning, 8-4. Hannah Miener walked in the bottom of the sixth. Madison Greco doubled, scoring Miener. Logan Darrow reached on a fielding error, bringing around Greco to score. Fontbonne narrow the gap, 8-6.

Clutch hitting in the bottom of the seventh gave the Griffins new life. Abby Alonzo singled to center field. Lexi Becker singled to left field, scoring the runner on a fielding error, 8-8.

It was a battle to the finish in extra innings. Eureka College took the lead in the top of the ninth, scoring 1 run on 2 hits, 9-8. The Griffins dug deep and made it happen in their last at bat. With a runner placed on second in extra innings, Grace Paez reached on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt scoring Ibarra who was on second. Abby Alonzo stayed hot and singled to left field, advancing Paez to third. With two outs and runners on second and third, Maddie Holtmeyer came in for Paez as a pinch runner. It paid off as Holtmeyer scored on a passed ball, giving the win to the Griffins, 9-10.

Top Griffins – Game 2

Abby Alonzo: 4-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI

Allysa Ibarra: 2-for-5 with 1 run

Lexi Becker: 2-for-5 with 2 runs

Hailey Kutz: 6.1 IP with 4 hits, 2 runs, and 11 strikeouts

Up Next

The Griffins will take on Webster University on Wednesday, April 20^th at 4:00pm 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).

#SoarHigher