Fifth-inning explosion lifts Griffins over Westminster

St. Louis, Mo. - Fontbonne's offense came through in the fifth inning, scoring all six runs with two outs for an 8-5 lead and continued on for the win. The Griffins' avoided the sweep in a much-needed conference divisional win.

Fontbonne freshman starting pitcher Brendan Beck got into some trouble after walking three Blue Jays in the second, but got out of the jam with a strikeout and a fly ball to right. Westminster struck first in the third with four runs. Fontbonne was able to get two runs across before the inning was over after Aaron Boyer, Devon Tolan and Ben Greenway singled. Tolan moved Boyer to third and was able to take second on the throw. Greenway drove in both baserunners for his first two RBI's of the day. 

Westminster secured one more run in the top half of the fifth before the Griffins took the lead in the bottom half. Tolan singled and Greenway walked to get things started. Left fielder Tanner Carter flied out to right, while catcher Patrick Shuff walked to load the bases. Right fielder Zach Carel struck out when pinch hitter Ryan Schocker stepped to the plate. Schocker came through, scoring two on a shot hopper to center. Head coach Ryan Good wasn't done, sending freshman Matt Tossick to run for Schocker and Nick Kenny to the plate as the designated hitter pinch hitter. Kenny walked in a run for his first RBI of the season. Westminster relieved their starting pitcher in the hopes to get the final out but Fontbonne's offense wasn't done. Aaron Boyer scored two through the left side when Ethan Boyer's single to left scored Kenny. Tolan walked to load the bases once again and Greenway walked in Fontbonne's sixth run of the inning.

After a quiet inning and a half, Fontbonne tallied three more runs in the seventh. Greenway, Shuff and Nick Rothweiler each secured an RBI. Rothweiler, who pinch hit for Carel, walked in Greenway. Westminster scored one in each of the final two frames with the Griffins earning their 12th run on a sacrifice fly by Tolan. 

Freshman Austin Earnest pitched 4.2 innings with four strikeouts for Fontbonne. The relief pitcher earned his first collegiate win after facing 19 batters and allowing just three hits.

Greenway earned four hits on four at-bats with two walks, four RBI's and two runs scored. His walk in the fifth was ultimately the game-winning RBI. Tolan went two-of-three on the day with two walks and three runs scored.

Fontbonne will travel to Florida for their annual spring break getaway. The Griffins will play each day next week except Wednesday and start off against Loras College on Sunday, March 20th. The full schedule can be found here. Fontbonne's next home game is on April 5th against Robert Morris- Springfield.