Becker's Gem Leads Griffins Past Monmouth In Game Two

MONMOUTH, Ill. – After dropping game one 11-3 (5 inn.), the Fontbonne University softball team got a dominant pitching performance out of Lexi Becker en route to the 6-1 game two victory.

Game One

Final: Monmouth 11, Fontbonne 3

Location: Monmouth, Ill.

Records: Monmouth 3-10, Fontbonne 3-11

How It Happened

In the top of the second, the Griffins struck first as Maddy Strickland led off with a double. After two hit-by-pitch to Becker and Melanie Russo, the bases were loaded for Abby Richmond. She reached on a fielder's choice allowing pinch-runner Alyssa Pisarek to score and make it 1-0.

Later in the inning, the Griffins extended its lead out to 2-0 on Diamond Thomas' RBI double.

However, in the bottom half, the Scots plated four runs on four hits with Lauren Sperry, Kaelan Bradley and Jessica Pauley (two) each recording RBI singles to give them a 4-2 lead. They went on to score four more in the fourth and three in the fifth for the 11-3 mercy-rule win.

Fontbonne Notables

• Thomas fell to 2-5 on the year after allowing 11 runs (six earned) in 4.0 innings. She also led at the plate going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
• Strickland had a team-high two hits.
• Grace Harlin, Emelia Modglin, and Richmond had one hit each.

Monmouth Notables

• Cassidy Abbott picked up her first win on the year allowing three runs (two earned) and striking out four.
• The 8-9 hitters in Alison Trettin and Lauren Sperry combined to go 4-for-6 with four runs scored and five RBI.
• Kaelan Bradley and Jessica Pauley had two RBI each.

Game Two

Score: Fontbonne 6, Monmouth 1

Location: Monmouth, Ill.

Records: Fontbonne 4-11, Monmouth 3-11

How It Happened

In the first, the Griffins took a 1-0 lead. Thomas led off with a walk and eventually made her way to third base. She was able to score on Modglin's RBI groundout.

It remained a one-run game until the fourth. Strickland led off with a single and raced over to third on Becker's double. Russo dug in and lined out to center, but Strickland was able to come on home to give them a 2-0 advantage.

In the sixth, the Griffins were able to put the game away. Strickland, Becker, and Russo each hit three straight singles to load up the bases for Daisy Watkins.

She came through with a double to right, plating Strickland and Becker to make it 4-0. Gracie Morris followed with an RBI single of her own to score Russo and now it was 5-0.

A sacrifice-fly from Grace Harlin later brought Watkins home to give them a commanding 6-0 lead.

The Scots got one of those runs back in the sixth, but that's all they'd get against Becker with Fontbonne going on for the five-run win.

Fontbonne Notables

• Becker improved to 2-2 on the year allowing one run on four hits and striking out two.
• At the plate, Strickland extended her hitting streak out to four going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
• Thomas owns an 11-game hitting streak after going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
• Becker contributed two hits, while Harlin, Russo, Watkins, Morris, and Emily McNiff had one hit each.

Monmouth Notables

• Zelinda Taylor took the loss allowing two runs on six hits in 5.0 innings pitched.
• Laura Dulee had the lone RBI.

Up Next

• The Griffins return to action on Tuesday at home for the first time this year when they'll host WashU. First-pitch at 4 p.m.

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

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