Griffin Bats Take Down Eutectics

AFFTON, MO. – The Eutectic softball team hosted local foe Fontbonne University for a doubleheader on a blustery Wednesday afternoon at Affton Athletic Association. The NCAA Division 3 Fontbonne Griffins (3-8) collected 29 hits in the two games to win both: 11-5 (Game 1) and 15-3 (Game 2).

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:
Fontbonne - 11
UHSP - 5

• The Eutectics took a 1-0 lead after one inning when Alicia Kimble's RBI single to center scored Kailey Samora.
• The 1-0 lead stuck until the top of the third when the Griffins scored six runs on six hits, then added one more in the top of the fourth off a hit and an error to make it 7-1.
• The Eutectic offense rallied in the fifth inning, scoring three runs off hits from Samora, Hunter Noto, and Payton McClellan to make it 7-4. But, the Griffins returned to score four more in the next two frames to take an 11-4 lead for UHSP's last at-bat.
• Makenzie Ness's one-out single scored Kimble who had reached on an error in the bottom of the seventh. But, that was it for offense for the Eutectics, who finished the game with seven hits to the Griffins' 15.
• Samora finished the game going 2-for-4 from the plate and scoring two runs. Ness earned two RBIs for the Euts. Fontbonne's designated player A. Alonzo went 3-for-3 with three RBIs.
• Starting pitcher Talianna Joyner was charged the loss with six hits, three strikeouts, two walks, and six earned runs over 2.2 innings.  S. Foppe claimed the win for the Griffins, pitching all seven innings, recording seven hits, two strikeouts, four walks, and one earned run.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:
Fontbonne – 15
UHSP - 3

• Fontbonne marked the board first in the second inning, scoring five runs on four hits and an error. After holding the Eutectics, they returned to the plate in the top of the third to score two more off two hits and an error and take a 7-0 lead.
• The Eutectic bats fired up in the bottom of the third with hits from Noto, Hallie Roper (RBI), Lexi Knoll (RBI), Kimble, Kianna Pilling, and Marissa Koonce (RBI) to score three runs.
• The Griffins scored one more in the top of the fifth and seven more in the top of the seventh while holding the Eutectics to go up 15-3. When the UHSP offense couldn't get anything going, the game was called in favor of the Griffins after six.
• The UHSP team's 11 hits looked good on paper, but did not convert to runs scored, while the Griffins scored 15 runs on 14 hits and four Eutectic errors.
• Hallie Roper and Marissa Koonce each went 2-for-3 with an RBI each. Hunter Noto recorded two stolen bases. S. Foppe went 3-for-4 for the Griffins, including two doubles and two RBIs, and scored two runs.
• Starter Emma Henley pitched five innings for the loss, allowing nine hits and one walk, striking out one and recording two earned runs.  Fontbonne reliever A. Alonzo pitched five innings for the win, recording 10 hits, four strikeouts, and three earned runs.

UP NEXT:

The Eutectics will return to their home field at Affton Athletic Association on Thursday when they host another NCAA Division 3 team, Greenville University (8-0), for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.