Griffins Improve To 6-0 In Conference Play After Two More Wins Against Blackburn

ST. ANN, Mo.—The Fontbonne University softball team extended its winning streak out to four and improved to 6-0 in SLIAC play after an 11-3 (5 inning) and 5-2 victories over Blackburn on Sunday.

Fontbonne 11 Blackburn 3

In game one, the Griffins (6-16; 6-0 SLIAC) scattered 11 hits and were led by the duo of Alleigh Kruse and Maddy Strickland.

The No. 3-4 hitters both hit a 3-run homer and finished a combined 3-for-4 with three runs scored and eight RBI. Isabel Hotop contributed two RBI in the No. 9 slot in the order, while Courtney Kedroski and Maddie Cooksey each added two hits.

Inside the circle, after allowing three runs in the first, Strickland settled in and allowed just two base runners the rest of the way. She finished with six strikeouts en route to her third win on the season.

Blackburn (9-12; 0-6 SLIAC), totaled six hits as Abby Frerichs and Lexi Yockey had two each. Starter Halle Fransen led them in the RBI department with two.

In the first, a sacrifice-fly from Hannah Goett allowed Baylee Hughes to score, who led off with a single, to give them a 1-0 lead. Fransen stepped in and plated two more runs on an RBI single.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Griffins answered. Cooksey led off with a single and moved up to third on a Beavers throwing error after Kedroski laid down a bunt.

Kruse brought Cooksey home with a sacrifice-fly out to center. Then, Strickland followed with another sacrifice-fly that plated Kedroski and now it was a 3-2 game.

In the second, the Griffins went on to put away the game for good. Kayla Winkler and Melanie Russo each reached base on singles. After an error, Hoptop hit a single up the middle and that scored two to make it 4-3.

Cooksey kept the line moving with a single. Kedroski was up next and she hit another single to center, allowing Hotop to score.

Kruse capped the inning off with a three-run shot to left, her first of the season and now Fontbonne was on top, 8-3. That score remained the same up until the fourth.

With two on and two outs, Strickland took the offering from Fransen and sent it over the left-centerfield wall, her third on the year, making it an 11-3 final.

Fontbonne 5 Blackburn 2

In game two, the offense rolled right along to 11 more hits. Kedroski extended her hit streak out to eight after going 3-for-3 with a run scored. Cooksey and Strickland added two hits apiece, while Emelia Modglin led them with two RBI.

Inside the circle, Diamond Thomas came on in relief of Brianna Durant and pitched brilliantly. She allowed just one run in 4.0 innings of work and sat down two.

The Beavers finished with five hits and got one of its runs off the bat of Daniele Burnell. On the rubber, Baylee Hughes took the loss after going 6.0 innings and striking out one.

In the first, Kedroski ripped a one out double to left and moved up a base after Kruse groundout. Then, Strickland hit a single to right giving the Griffins a 1-0 lead.

Blackburn, though went on to score one in the second and another in the third to grab a 2-1 advantage. However, the Griffins answered in the bottom half.

Kruse tied the game as she reached base on a fielder's choice, allowing Hotop to score. Two batters later and with two outs, Modglin doubled to right-center, plating Strickland and Cookey. In the sixth, Kayla Winkler added an RBI single to make it a 5-2 final.

The team returns to action at home on Wednesday against Greenville on Military Appreciation Day. First-pitch at 3 p.m.

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