Knights Pitching Cools Down Griffins Offense

AUBURNDALE, Fla.—After averaging 15 hits and nine runs the last four games down in Florida, the Fontbonne University baseball teams offense was held quiet today against Wartburg as they fell, 7-0.

The Griffins (6-6), compiled five hits, two of which came off the bat of Jackson Penrod, who extended his hitting streak out to six. Evan Siegler, Tyler Grimes and Gus Purschke added the other hits. On the bump, Levi Earnest was dealt the loss as he went 1.1 innings and allowed five runs.

John Hughes and Cole Lankford pitched the final 7.2 innings, holding Wartburg to seven hits and struck out a combined five batters.

Coming into today's game, starter Tanner Eckhart, had a perfect 0.00 ERA, allowed just one run in 12.0 innings and struck out 12. He continued his strong start in 2018, tossing 7.0 innings of scoreless ball and struck out six.

Offensively, the Knights (6-1), finished with 12 hits and were led by Cody Hyler as he went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a game-high four RBI. Ryan King Jr., contributed three hits as well.

In the first, Blake Mahoney led off with a single to center and stole second. Three batters later, Zach Hovick tallied the first RBI of the day on a sacrifice-fly, plating Mahoney to make it 1-0.

Cody Hyler followed with an RBI single, then a bases loaded hit-by-pitch scored the final run of the inning, giving Wartburg a 3-0 advantage. Hyler tacked on two more RBI in the second with a single to center, extending the advantage out to 5-0.

The Knights scored another run in the sixth, but the Griffins threatened in the home half of the seventh. The team had the bases loaded with just one away, but Eckhart got the final two batters to fly-out, keeping Fontbonne off the board.

Wartburg scored one final run in the ninth, on a wild pitch, securing the seven-run victory.

The Griffins close out its Florida trip 3-2 and will now return home for a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon against Wisconsin-Platteville. First-pitch at 3 p.m.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the Griffins baseball team.