Griffins Bats Held Quiet Against Wildcats; Thomas More Pulls Away From Fontbonne In Game Two

TUCSON, Ariz.— The Fontbonne University softball team continues its search for its first win on the year after dropping two tough games against St. Catherine (12-2; 5 innings) and Thomas More (13-4; 6 innings) on Saturday.

St. Catherine 12 Fontbonne 2 (5 innings)

The Griffins (0-6), offense had its struggles against the St. Catherine pitching staff as they were held to just two runs on four hits.

At the plate, Maddie Cooksey led going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Emily Cardwell added a hit and an RBI of her own. Inside the circle, Diamond Thomas was dealt the loss after going 1.0 inning, allowing six runs (five earned), on two hits and walked four.

The Wildcats (4-3), compiled its 12 runs on eight hits. Kylie Macziewski, Sammie Galvez and Amber Montero totaled two hits each, while Montero led everyone in the RBI department, bringing home three.

On the rubber, Kathryn Proper got the win after going 3.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits and struck out four.

In the first inning, the Wildcats scored three runs on one hit. They tacked on six more runs in the second to expand its lead out to 9-0.

Fontbonne went on to get one of those runs back in the third. Kayla Winkler hit a one out single and moved up a base on a passed ball. She went on to score on Cardwell's RBI single.

However, the Wildcats plated another run in the third and two more in the fourth. Cooksey contributed an RBI double in the fifth, though St. Catherine was able to go on for the 10-run win.

Thomas More 13 Fontbonne 4 (6 innings)

In game two, the Griffins finished with four runs on eight hits. Offensively, Emily McNiff belted her first homer on the season, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Maddy Strickland went 1-for-2 with two RBI, while Alleigh Kruse posted a line of 2-for-3 with a run scored. On the rubber, Strickland took the loss after going 5.1 innings, allowing 12 runs and striking out four.

The Saints ended the afternoon with 15 hits and leading the way was Andrea Gahan, who went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBI. Alix DeDreu, meanwhile, pitched a gem as she went the distance, allowing four runs and striking out five.

In the top of the first, DeDreu got things started with a two out single. After Kenzi Dickerson followed with a single of her own, Gahan brought home DeDreu with the third consecutive hit to make it 1-0.

Sammy Sagers stepped in and doubled to right, plating Gahan and Dickerson. Then, Mary Beth Odom ripped a homer to left, extending the Saints advantage out to 5-0.

In the bottom half of the inning, Courtney Kedroski doubled to center and moved up a base on Kruse's single. After a pop-out, Strickland brought the duo home with a double to center.

The Griffins bats stayed hot in the second as McNiff hit a monstrous homer to left, narrowing the lead down to 5-3. Thomas More gained another run back in the third, but Fontbonne stayed right with them in the home half of the fourth.

Melanie Russo hit an infield single and was pinch-ran for by Isabel Hotop. McNiff, then doubled to left but Hotop was out at third on the play.

McNiff, though didn't have to wait long at second as she scored on Cooksey's RBI double to cut it down to 6-4. However, the Saints bats took over the final two innings, scoring seven runs and they went on for the nine-run win.

The Griffins will be back in action tomorrow morning for another doubleheader starting at 10 a.m., against Berry. Then, they'll square off against Claremont-M-S at 12:30 p.m.

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