Griffins Offense Combines For 31 Runs In A Doubleheader Sweep Against Principia

ELSAH, Ill.—The Fontbonne University softball team combined for 31 runs in its 8-0 (5 inning) and 23-4 (5 inning) victories over Principia College.

"We struggled at the plate last week against Illinois College so we went back to work and mechanics of the swing this week, and I think it showed today," said head coach Casey Cromwell. "Principia is a team with energy and took two from Blackburn earlier this week so these wins were helpful going into tomorrow's games."

She added, "Melanie Russo and Kayla Winkler had a fantastic day at the plate and made adjustments early for us. Today was a team effort."

Fontbonne 8 Illinois College 0

In game one, the Griffins (4-16; 4-0 SLIAC) scattered nine hits and were led by Kayla Winkler going 2-for-3 with a run scored and bringing home a season-high three RBI. Emily Cardwell went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Courtney Kedroski, Alleigh Kruse and Mady Strickland each contributed an RBI as well. Inside the circle, Maddy Strickland picked up her second win as she went the distance and struck out five.

The Panthers (2-11; 2-6 SLIAC), were limited to three hits as Hannah Hathaway, Genie Nyiramana and Ashley Noville had one hit each.

In the first, the Griffins got on the board early as Cardwell led off with a single and moved up a base on a passed ball. After a pop-out and a groundout, Strickland came through with an RBI single.

Emelia Modglin walked, then Winkler cleared the bases with a triple to give them a 3-0 lead. The team tacked on two more runs in the second on RBI from Cardwell and Kruse.

Kedroski's RBI double in the fourth made it 6-0 and in the fifth Winkler did it all herself. She scored Modglin, who led off with a single, on an RBI double and later stole home to make it an 8-0 final.

Fontbonne 23 Principia 4

In game two, the Griffins 23 runs are its highest since the 23 season and its 25 hits are a season-high. Melanie Russo had herself a game as she went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and a season-high six RBI.

Maddie Cooksey returned to the lineup for the first time since her injury and she didn't miss a beat, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBI. Kedroski extended her hit streak out to six as she to went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.

Kruse, meanwhile, closed out the day 3-for-4 with a run scored and four RBI. On the rubber, Diamond Thomas got the victory after going 3.0 innings and allowing just one hit.

In the first, Cooksey walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. After a Kedroski single, the duo touched home on Kruse double.

The offense stayed hot from there. In the second, after a Russo double and Winkler walk, they raced around home on Cooksey's two RBI triple. Kruse and Strickland each went on to add an RBI and now the Griffins led 6-0.

They went on to score one in the third, five in the fourth and an impressive 11 runs in the fifth for the 19-run victory.

The team will be right back at it tomorrow afternoon at home against Blackburn at ABC Park. First-pitch at 12 p.m.

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