Fontbonne Softball Falters on the Road against Central Dutch
PELLA, Ia. – The Fontbonne University softball offense stalls in doubleheader losses against Central College.
Story written by Sports Information Intern, Leah Huelsing
PELLA, Ia. – The Fontbonne University softball offense stalls in doubleheader losses against Central College.
Game 1 Breakdown
The Griffins found themselves in a hole, allowing three Dutch runs early. The defense rallied back though and had a nice three up-three down inning in the bottom of the second to hold the Dutch at 3-0.
In the bottom of third, Fontbonne's defense turned a nice 4-6-3 double play with a great stretch by the first baseman. Griffins hold the Dutch at 3-0.
Fontbonne had a taste of a scoring opportunity in the top of the fourth. With Hannah Miener on first, Logan Darrow poked a base hit to left field. However, both runners were stranded with a two-out, Patience Vandermierden strikeout.
Kassidy Chrisco got it started in the top of fifth with a bunt single. Grace Harlin laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Chrisco to second. Lilly Jones improved on her .452 average with a line drive to left field, scoring Chrisco but Jones got caught trying to get the extra base, 3-1.
The Griffins were looking to add runs in the top of the sixth as Hannah Miener reached on a fielder's choice. Miener was picked off trying to steal first. Logan Darrow grounds out to short and leaves a runner stranded, 3-1.
In the bottom of sixth, a Dutch batter reached on a line drive right at pitcher, Abby Richmond. Richmond was able to shake it off to continue the inning. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second. Fontbonne's second baseman made a nice, backhanded grab and got the runner out at first, but aggressive baserunning scored the runner from second. The next batter hit a line drive up the middle, stole second, but was stranded as Patience Vandermierden fielded a ground ball cleanly to get the runner at first, 4-1.
Fontbonne couldn't muster the offense in the top of the seventh to add more runs and Central's Schaben gets the win for the Dutch, 4-1.
Game 2 Breakdown
Hailey Kutz got the start for game two and got into a bind in the bottom of the second. With bases loaded and no outs, Grace Harlin made a great diving catch in center field to earn the first out and hold the runners. The next Dutch batter worked the count to 3-2 and fouled off several pitches before Kutz rang her up looking. A hard hit to second base with a bobble on the play, drove in two runs for Central College. The Dutch were caught trying to steal on the next pitch as catcher, Grace Paez, got the runner at third, 2-0.
The Griffins found themselves in trouble again in the bottom of the third with bases loaded and one out. Hailey Kutz made a good play with fielding the ball and getting the out at home to save the run. The next batter walked, bring in one run in score. An errant check throw to third on the next pitch sent another runner home before the Griffins were able to end the inning, 4-0.
Fontbonne allowed the bases to load up again in the bottom of the fourth, but the defense made a huge stop to save the inning. Right fielder, Kassidy Chrisco, caught a deep fly ball and made a huge throw to home to get the runner trying to score, 4-0.
Central's bats got hot again in the bottom of the sixth. With runners in scoring position and no outs, the Dutch lay down an effective bunt, scoring the runner. The next batter hits a deep fly ball double, clearing the bases and driving in two more runs. A dropped pop fly in the infield allowed the winning runner to cross the plate, 8-0
The Griffins' errors and lack of offense made it tough for them to come back in game two. Fontbonne falls to 3-11 as they prepare to enter into Conference play.
Up Next
The Griffins will start Conference play in Louisville, Kentucky to face Spalding University on Wednesday, March 30th at 3:00 PM and 5:00 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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