Summers Strikes Out 13, Dobbs Hits Grand Slam In Win Over (RV) Saint Mary's

AUBURNDALE, Fla.—Behind a stellar pitching performance from senior hurler Luke Summers and the offense catching fire in the final innings, the Fontbonne University baseball team earned a much needed 11-2 win over (RV) Saint Mary's (Minn.).

Final: Fontbonne 11, (RV) Saint Mary's (Minn.) 2

Location: Auburndale, Fla.

Records: Fontbonne 6-6, (RV) Saint Mary's (Minn.), 2-3

How It Happened

After Summers retired seven straight, the Cardinals broke through in the fourth. Justin Weinberg led off with a double. After a fly-out, Kodey Kiel broke the scoreless tie with a single to bring Weinberg home.

It remained a one run game up until the top of the seventh. Brandon Hinson reached base on an error and moved up to third on Gus Purschke's double. Two batters later, the Cardinals committed another fielding error, allowing both Purschke and Hinson to touch home.

The Griffins carried that momentum over into the seventh in a big way. Back-to-back singles from Thomas Purschke and Matt Manint, along with a walk to Grant Staffen had the bases loaded for pinch-hitter, Daniel Youngblood.

The St. Louis, Mo., native, ripped a single to left scoring Purschke to extend the lead out to 3-1. After a pitching change, a walk to Gus Purschke and a hit-by-pitch to Lane Smith extended the advantage to 5-1.

Fontbonne put the game away on the ensuing at-bat with Braeden Dobbs clearing the bases with his first collegiate grand slam. Dobbs added two more RBI in the ninth and Mike Jacobson finished them off in the ninth for the win.

Fontbonne Notables

• Luke Summers dominated on the bump allowing just one run and striking out a season-high 13 over 7.0 innings of work.
• Dobbs ended the day going 3-for-6 with a run scored and a career-high six RBI.
• The 1-2-3 hitters in Gus Purschke, Smith, and Dobbs combined to go 7-for-14 with five runs scored and eight RBI.
• Matt Manint went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Saint Mary's Notables

• Starter Jonathan Cieminski took the tough no-decision allowing no runs and striking out five in 6.0 innings.
• Reliever Keegan Majerus fell to 0-1 allowing six runs (four earned) in his one inning.
• Kiel led in the RBI department with two.
• Weinberg went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Up Next

The Griffins will get tomorrow off and return to action bright and early on Friday against Rhode Island College. First-pitch at 8:30 a.m.

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

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