Golich's RBI Single In The Eighth Lifts Griffins To Game One Win Over Principia

ELSAH, Ill.—An RBI single from Michael Golich in the top of the eighth of game one secured the 4-3 win for the Griffins baseball team. In game two, the Griffins plated 10 runs in four innings, however, the Principia Panthers escaped with the 11-10 win.

Fontbonne 4 Principia 3

The Griffins (13-11; 5-2 SLIAC), finished with eight hits in game one and Golich proved to be the hero going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Gus Purschke and Michael Puckett, Jr., added the other RBI.

On the bump, Luke Summers improved to 5-1 as he went 7.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and struck out a season-high nine. Brett Lange came on in relief and picked up the save.

The Panthers (15-7; 6-3 SLIAC), got its lone hits off the bats of Parker Davidson, Zach Grennie, Aleq McMullin and Stephen Strong. On the mound, Alex Stamos was dealt the tough loss after going 7.1 innings, allowing four runs and striking out nine of his own.

In the first, Golich led off with a single and went on to steal second. He stole third and then scored on a strikeout wild-pitch, making it a 1-0 game.

In the second, though Zach Grennie tied the game with one swing of the bat as he blasted a solo shot. Three batters later, Stephen Strong doubled to left and Sean Hannan, who walked previously, scored on a Griffins error. Then, Ryan Eisenauer made it 3-1 on an RBI groundout to score Strong from third.

Fontbonne wasn't done as they answered in the fourth. Jackson Penrod and Ryan Schocker led off with consecutive singles. Puckett, Jr., stepped in and ripped a single to right and that scored Penrod.

After a groundout, Purschke doubled to center allowing Shocker to touch home and it was a brand new ball game at 3-3.

The score remained the same up until the eighth. Matt Tossick led off with a single and advanced up a base on Jonathan Hoevelamnn's sacrifice bunt. Golich then faced reliever Aleq McMullin and he brought Tossick home with an RBI single to give Fontbonne the one-run lead.

In the home half, the Panthers had the tying run aboard with one away. However, Lange got the final two outs on a strikeout and a groundout for the win.

Principia 11 Fontbonne 10

In game two, Golich and Penrod led at the top of the order. The duo combined to go 6-for-10 with four runs scored and four RBI. Golich has also reached safely in his last 15 games. Tossick contributed two RBI and belted his first homer on the season.

On the mound, Brian Wacha took the loss after going 1.1 innings, allowing one run and walking three.

After starter Jake Kearney was pulled in the third, reliever Aleq McMullin picked up the victory. The hurler went 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits.

At the dish, Eddie Bargmann had himself an outing as he went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and one RBI. Kearney helped himself going 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBI.

In the first, the Griffins scored early and often. The team grabbed a 1-0 lead on Schocker's RBI single that scored Golich, who reached base on an error to start the game off.

After a single from Puckett, Jr., Penrod touched home on Evan Siegler reaching base on a fielder's choice. The team added another run on Purschke's RBI groundout to take a 3-0 advantage.

Principia responded with two runs in the home half but the Griffins got both back in the second. Hoevelmann reached base on a one out single and went on to steal second.

Golich brought him home with an RBI single. Then, Penrod tallied an RBI double to his day and now the Griffins were on top, 5-2. In the third, they scored four more runs, highlighted by Tossick's 2-run homer and now they were well out in front, 9-2.

The Panthers got a run back in the third to make it 9-3 but a bases loaded wild-pitch gave Fontbonne a 10-3 lead in the fourth.

However, Principia went on to score eight unanswered runs the rest of the way for the one-run win.

Fontbonne will now get ready for a big weekend series next weekend against rival Webster. The two teams will square off in a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12 p.m., followed by a single-nine inning game on Sunday at 12 p.m.

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