Schaefer pitches Griffins to narrow 7-6 win over Greenville

Elsah, Ill. - Three doubles got the Griffins on the board in the second inning to a 2-0 lead. Greenville answered with three runs in the top half of the third while Fontbonne scored two runs to take the lead again thanks to a Shannon Fitzpatrick triple. The Griffins had the bases loaded with one out to add insurance runs, but stranded all three runners.

Leonard struggled on the mound, allowing two more runs to cross the plate for Greenville in the fourth inning, one a walk-in on a hit-by-pitch. She then allowed a solo home run in the fifth as the Griffins trailed 6-4. Fontbonne scored one run in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the Panther lead to one.

Lindsay Schaefer quieted Greenville quickly in the sixth, three up and three down when Fontbonne scored the tying run in the bottom of the sixth. Greenville couldn't get to second base against Schaefer in the seventh inning either. With two outs and the game tied 6-6, Danni Glixman and Emily Smith each singled. Glixman advanced to third base on Smith's at-bat and was brought home on a walk-off wild pitch for the game-winning run.

Schaefer picked up her fifth win of the season and the Griffins recorded four doubles in the win. The 21st consecutive win is a new school record.

Fontbonne will take on Greenville for the fourth time in eight days Saturday for the SLIAC Tournament Championship. The game will start at 1 p.m. at Principia College. The winner advances to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Fontbonne is looking to make their sixth consecutive trip to NCAA Regionals.