Fontbonne Softball Offense Turns Up the Heat and Splits the Series with Spalding

Story written by Sports Information Intern, Leah Huelsing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Fontbonne University softball team splits the doubleheader against Spalding University in their conference opener.

Game 1 Breakdown

The Griffins took the lead early as Allysa Ibarra singled through the right side. Alaina Hotop followed it up with a ground-rule double, moving Ibarra to third. Hannah Miener singled through the left side, earning an RBI and scoring Ibarra, 1-0. The Eagles answered right back and with two runs on three hits, 1-2.  

Lilly Jones started it off in the second inning with a single and then stole second. Allysa Ibarra singled through the left side, scoring Jones on the play but Ibarra was thrown out at home trying to stretch the play, 2-2. Spalding had a heavy hitting inning in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on four hits, 2-5.

The Eagles added to their lead in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs on five hits, 2-9.

Fontbonne was not down for the count though. Grace Paez doubled to right center. Logan Darrow reached on a throwing error by the shortstop. Sam Foppe reached on a fielding error, scoring Paez. Lilly Jones earned an RBI with a ground out to shortstop, scoring Darrow. Allysa Ibarra also earned an RBI on a ground out to second, scoring Foppe, 5-9.

Both teams were scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Spalding scored two more runs on two hits with two Fontbonne errors, 5-11.

Ellie Bartlett led off the inning with a big home run to left field. Logan Darrow walked, then stole second. Sam Foppe advanced Darrow on a single down the line. Lilly Jones lined out to centerfield but earned an RBI, scoring Darrow. Allysa Ibarra stayed hot, singling up the middle and advancing all the way to third on a stolen base and wild pitch but was caught stealing home to end the inning, 7-11. The Eagles' bats would not be silenced as they scored three more runs on three hits, 7-14.

The Griffins couldn't continue their momentum to muster a comeback in the seventh. Fontbonne drops game one 7-14.

Top Griffins – Game 1:

Lilly Jones: 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs

Allysa Ibarra: 3-for-4 with 1 RBI

Hannah Miener: 2-for-4 with 1 RBI

Sam Foppe: 1-for3 with 1 run and 1 RBI

Ellie Bartlett: 1-for-1 with a solo homerun

Game 2 Breakdown

Spalding got on top first in the bottom of the first, 0-1.

In the top of the third, Fontbonne answered back as Ellie Bartlett singled to second base, scoring Lilly Jones who had walked. Lexi Becker reached on a fielder's choice but was stranded on a line out to left field, 1-1.

The Eagles added more runs in the bottom of the third after two batters got on with hit by pitches, and then a double cleared the bases, 4-1.

Fontbonne had a huge fourth inning. Grace Harlin singled through the left side and advanced to second with a stolen base. Grace Paez doubled to center field, scoring Harlin. Kassidy Chrisco singled on a bunt and then store second. With runners on second and third, Allysa Ibarra doubled through the left side, scoring Paez. Ellie Bartlett singled to left field, scoring Chrisco. With bases loaded and all tied up, Lexi Becker poked a double to right center, scoring two big runs to take the lead. With runners in scoring position, Hannah Miener grounded out but scored a run. Grace Harlin hit a single to center field, scoring Becker. The Griffins rack up a massive seven runs on seven hits in the top of the fourth and take the lead, 8-4.

Kassidy Chrisco kept the train rolling in the top of the fifth with a triple to centerfield but was caught stealing home. Lilly Jones got it started again with a single. Allysa Ibarra had a fantastic day at the plate, with a single to shortstop. Ellie Bartlett lined out to right field, allowing Jones to score on the tag up. Alaina Hotop drove in a run with a single through the left side, giving the Griffins a healthy 10-4. Freshman pitcher, Hailey Kutz, retired three in a row to maintain the 10-4 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning, Lilly Jones singled but was caught trying to extend it to a double. Ellie Bartlett singled up the middle. Michaela Mason stepped in to pinch hit for Alaina Hotop and advanced the runner to third on a single. Lexi Becker reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Foppe who pinch ran for Bartlett, 11-4.

Hailey Kutz was solid after the first three innings, holding the Eagles scoreless through the last four innings. The Griffins take game two with a score of 11-4.  

Top Griffins – Game 2

Lilly Jones: 3-for-4 with 2 runs

Allysa Ibarra: 3-for-5 with 1 RBI and 2 runs

Ellie Bartlett: 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs and 1 run

Grace Harlin: 2-for-4 with 1 RBI and 1 run

Kassidy Chrisco: 2-for-4 with 1 run

Hailey Kutz: 7 innings pitched, 4 hits, 4 runs, 4 strikeouts

Up Next

The Griffins will now face Webster University in their home opener on Monday, April 4^th at 4:00pm and 6:00pm.  

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.

Make sure to follow softball on all its social media accounts: Twitter (@FBU_Softball), Instagram (@fontbonnesoftball) and Facebook (@FontbonneSoftball).

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