National Girls & Women In Sports Day Spotlight: Softball

ST. LOUIS, Mo.— National Girls & Women in Sports Day started Wednesday but over the next week we'll be highlighting the success over our women's sports teams and individuals over the past year. Next up, the Fontbonne University softball team.

After an up-and-down non-conference schedule where the Griffins went 4-6, the team opened conference play against Greenville with an 11-8 victory.

After splitting the series against the Panthers, the Griffins started to find its rhythm winning nine of its next 13 and stood atop the SLIAC standings with a 9-3 record in conference play.

At the end of April, the Griffins hosted Iowa Wesleyan with a chance to secure the SLIAC Regular Season Title. Fontbonne dropped the opener, but followed it up with a 2-0 victory over the Tigers to secure its first SLIAC Regular Season Title since 2016.

As the top seed in the conference tournament, the Griffins hosted Blackburn and cruised to a 6-0 victory behind Michaela Mason tossing 5.0 innings of shutout ball. Lexi Becker came on in relief to secure the shutout win tossing 2.0 innings of two hit ball.

At the dish, the Griffins put the game away in the first scoring four runs highlighted by Grace Harlin's bases clearing double. Patience Vandermierden followed with an RBI double of her own making it a 4-0 game.

In the third, Vandermierden struck again with an RBI single plating Hannah Miener. Fontbonne added another run in the sixth for the shutout win.

Then, the Griffins squared off against Iowa Wesleyan in the SLIAC Semifinals in a pitching battle between Morgan Christner and Abby Richmond. It was a scoreless game up until the seventh when the Tigers broke through scoring an unearned run.

In the bottom half, though the Griffins answered with Grace Paez hitting a walk-off single to left plating two runners for the win. Richmond went the distance for the win allowing zero earned runs on six hits.

However, the Griffins dropped its next contest against the eventual SLIAC Tournament Champion, Webster University, 6-4. Fontbonne faced Spalding in the elimination game thereafter and it was the Golden Eagles coming away with the 7-3 win eliminating the Griffins from postseason play.

"Winning the regular season was a big step back in the right direction for our program," said head coach Casey Cromwell. "The last couple weeks of the season were intense and I was extremely proud of the way the girls fought every game and every inning. It was enlightening to see so much success with every player and then to see their happiness for each other's success."

"It was truly a team effort and a testament to their mental strength towards the end of the season. We grew as individuals and a family last season."

At the conclusion of the season, the Griffins were well honored by the SLIAC with nine players earning All-Conference awards. Gracie Morris was named to the First Team, while Abby Richmond and Lexi Becker collected Second Team honors.

Grace Paez, Lilly Jones, Patience Vandermierden, Madison Galczynski, and Grace Harlin were name to the Third Team. Skylar Freeman was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

This year, the Griffins are heavy favorites to repeat in the SLIAC as they were picked first in the Preseason Coaches Poll.

With seven of the nine All-Conference selectees back and nine newcomers on the roster, the Griffins are set for a big run towards a SLIAC Championship this season.

About Fontbonne University

Fontbonne University is a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in St. Louis, committed to a transformative education and inspiring students to become global citizens who think critically, act ethically and serve responsibly. The university, founded in 1923, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu.