Griffins break 18-year-old record

St. Louis, Mo. - Fontbonne baseball got off to a hot start in their final series of the season. The Griffins defeated Iowa Wesleyan 5-2 and broke an 18-year-old record in the process.

Fontbonne's patient offense was rewarded immediately with two runs in the first inning after four walks and a single. Iowa Wesleyan tied the game in the second after a hit-by-pitch, walk, sacrifice bunt and a single.

In the sixth inning, Fontbonne starting pitcher Vince Santarsiero struck out the final two Tigers to end the inning. His final strikeout and ninth of the game, was the Griffins' 290th of the season, which broke the school's previous record of team strikeouts in a single season. Santarsiero ended with 10 in the game, tying his career record from earlier this season while reliever Devon Tolan notched one. Fontbonne now has 292 strikeouts on the season with two games left in the series. 

The Griffins' offense backed up their pitching, when Steve Belovich doubled to drive in Ryan Schocker (who doubled) and Jacob Wilson (who walked) to lead 4-2. Fontbonne added an insurance run in the eighth after two singles and a stolen base.

Schocker led the Griffin offense by going four-of-four on the night with a great diving stop at first base to save a hit. Logan Mueth went two-of-three in the contest and recorded two RBI's.

Fontbonne earned seven walks but left six on base. Santarsiero earned his fourth win while Tolan earned his second save of the year.

The Griffins return to Shaw Park tomorrow to close the season with a doubleheader against Iowa Wesleyan.