Griffins end season with devastating loss to Central

Pella, Iowa - Fontbonne led host Central 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded and one out in the elimination game of the Pella Regional. Fontbonne's Lindsay Schaefer ripped a high fly ball over the baseball scoreboard and into the baseball outfield. All baserunners, Fontbonne fans and Gustavus fans watching thought the Griffins just took a 7-1 lead until the third base umpire deemed the would-be grand slam a foul ball. Central later capitalized with two baserunners and two outs in the top of the seventh with a three-run home run that eventually won the game.

Junior Madi Leonard struck out two Dutch players in the first inning, just as she did the day before. Senior Danni Glixman hit a two-run shot to left in the first, also over the baseball scoreboard and into the opposite outfield. All was quiet in the second inning. In the bottom of the third inning, the Griffins led off with a double and a single, so with runners on first and third with zero outs, Central tried to avoid another Danni Glixman home run. The Dutch decided to intentionally walk the power hitter, but a wild pitch sent Shannon Fitzpatrick home, which would be the Griffins' final run of the game. Glixman was intentionally walked in her next at-bat as well.

Central plated their first run in the top of the fifth. The Dutch led off with a single followed by an RBI double, their only run until the game-winning three-run home run in the seventh.

Leonard struck out seven and walked five in six and two-thirds innings. Fontbonne recorded 10 hits and two errors in their final game of the season. Schulenberg struck out three and walked two for Central.

Cassi and Danni Glixman, Shannon Fitzpatrick, Morgan Baer and Caitlin Nappier all played their final collegiate game today as the Griffins went 30-11 on the year.