Strickland's 3-Run Homer Leads Griffins To Game One Win Against Greenville

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Behind Maddy Strickland's 3-run homer, the Fontbonne University softball team took game one 5-1 against Greenville. However, despite a 5-run seventh in game two, the Panthers fended off the Griffins, 7-6.

Fontbonne 5 Greenville 1

In game one, the Griffins (7-17; 7-1 SLIAC), scattered seven hits. Leading the way was Strickland as she went 1-for-2, totaled four RBI and a homer for the second time in the last three games.

Maddie Cooksey continued to swing the bat well going 2-for-4 with a run scored, while four others added a hit. Inside the circle, Strickland went the distance tossing a complete game four-hitter and struck out six.

The Panthers (8-13; 6-3 SLIAC), got the lone RBI off the bat of Megan Barrett. On the rubber, Caitie Opp took the loss as she went 4.2 innings, allowing four runs (zero earned) and struck out two.

In the first, Cooksey and Kedroski were on second and third respectively. With one out, Strickland stepped in and she took Opp's offering over the left field wall, her fourth on the season, giving the Griffins a 3-0 lead.

After Megan Barrett cut into that deficit with a solo shot in the fifth, the Griffins got that run back in the home half on Strickland's RBI sacrifice-fly. They added another run in the sixth on Kayla Winkler stealing home to secure the five-run win.

Greenville 7 Fontbonne 6

In game two, the Griffins compiled eight hits. Emily Cardwell had a standout game as she went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. After being held hitless the last two games, Alleigh Kruse collected two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Emelia Modglin finished with a team-high two RBI. 

Diamond Thomas, meanwhile, pitched well but dropped a tough outing as she went 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs and five hits.
Greenville ended the evening with 10 hits and were led by the duo of Kendall Far and Amanda Atteberry. They combined to go 4-for-7 with two runs scored. Becca Oldham went 1-for-3 and contributed a team-high two RBI.

Inside the circle, Maegan Stone got the victory after going 6.2 innings, allowing six runs and striking out two. Cayla Speaks came on in the seventh and picked up the save.

In the first, the Panthers got on the board on Becca Oldham's RBI groundout. Oldham struck again in the third, though the Griffins responded in the bottom half.

Cardwell led off with a double and moved up a base on Thomas' sacrifice bunt. Three batters later, Kruse reached base on a fielding error and that allowed Cardwell to score from third.

Greenville went on to score two in the fourth, two in the fifth and another in the seventh to take a 7-1 lead going into the bottom of the inning.

Winkler led things off with a walk and after a pop-out she advanced to third on Cardwell's double. Emily McNiff dug in and singled to left, scoring Winkler.

After another walk, Kedroski tacked on an RBI on a sacrifice-fly that brought home Cardwell to make it, 7-3. Kruse kept the rally going with the second single of the inning and that allowed McNiff to race on home.

Strickland walked and Modglin singled on home Kruse and Cooksey. The Griffins now trailed 7-6 and had the tying run on second. However, Speaks settled in and got the final out for the Panthers.

The team returns to action this Saturday against Eureka. First-pitch at 1 p.m., from ABC Park.

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