Fontbonne Baseball Sweeps Past Eutectics In Season Opener

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University baseball team opened its 2023 season with a sweep over University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy.

Game One

Fontbonne def. UHSP, 10-7

Game Notes

After the Eutectics opened with a 2-0 lead in the first, the Griffins answered in the bottom half with Trey Kueper bringing home two.

In the bottom of the second, the Griffins had the bases loaded thanks to two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Matt Helm earned the third walk in the inning bringing home Bryce McKinnon to give them a 3-2 lead.

Ty Kueper extended the advantage out to 4-2 on a fielder's choice allowing Thomas Purschke to score.

In the fifth, the Eutectics scored four runs on four hits taking a 6-4 advantage. However, in the bottom half of the inning the Griffins answered right back. 

Kameron Brooks kept the inning alive with a hit-by-pitch and pinch-runner Grant Staffen trotted on home on Carter Lee's first homer on the season to center to tie the game. Eric Creech followed with his first career homer to left, giving Fontbonne a 7-6 lead.

Fontbonne tacked on three more runs in the sixth with Ty Kueper hitting an RBI double to left and Lee brought in two more giving Fontbonne the 10-7 win. 

Top Griffins

Carter Lee: 2-for-4, one run scored, four RBI, one HR

Ty Kueper: 2-for-4, one run scored, two RBI

Eric Creech: 1-for-2, one run scored, one RBI, one HR

Colby Shivers: 2-for-3, two runs scored

Camden Coleman: W, 1-0

Nolan Gutjhar: SV (1)

Game Two

Fontbonne def. UHSP, 6-3

Game Notes

It was a scoreless game up until the top of the fifth when the Eutectics scored three runs on one hit.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Griffins responded with Shivers and Helm getting things going with back-to-back singles.

Ty Kueper stayed hot at the dish doubling to right plating Shivers. Thomas Purschke singled to center plating both Helm and Kueper to tie the game.

In the sixth, the Griffins put the game away. With one on, Shivers singled to left scoring Staffen, who led off with walk, to give Fontbonne a 4-3 lead.

After a Helm single, the Griffins made it 5-3 on Ty Kueper's single to left. Three batters later, Justin Smith, who pinch ran for Helm, scored on a wild pitch pushing the advantage out to 6-3.

That was all David Howard needed in the seventh to lock down the three-run victory.

Top Griffins

Ty Kueper: 2-for-3, one run scored, two RBI

Colby Shivers: 3-for-4, two runs scored, one RBI

Thomas Purschke: 1-for-4, two RBI

Nick Glaser: 5.0 IP, one hit, six strikeouts

Vonner Panek: 1.0 IP, one strikeout, W (1-0)

David Howard: SV, (1)

Up Next

The Griffins will now head to Sewanee, Tenn., for a three-game series starting on Friday at 2 p.m.

Make sure to follow baseball on all its social media accounts: Twitter (@FBUBaseball), Instagram (@fontbonneu_baseball) and Facebook (/FontbonneUGriffins)