THE BASICS 
Emmanuel College, 4 vs. Fontbonne Univ., 5

Records: 
Emmanuel Saints (4-4, 0-0 GNAC)
Fontbonne Griffins (5-5, 0-0 SLIAC)

Location: Auburndale, Fla. - Auburndale Softball SportsPlex Field 5

Date: Friday, March 10, 2023

THE LEAD – Junior shortstop Olivia Conti (Cranston, R.I.) became the fastest player in program history to record 100 career hits Friday afternoon in Emmanuel's 5-4 setback to Fontbonne University in Day 4 softball action of The Spring Games in Auburndale, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After three scoreless frames, Emmanuel plated three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the 3-0 lead. The Griffins retired the first two batters in the inning before all the action took place with two outs as sophomore Madison Marks (Edgewater Park, N.J.) started the rally with a single to right. Sophomore catcher Sammy Hayes (Braintree, Mass.) followed it up with a single before first year third baseman Christyna Winstead (Uncasville, Conn.) belted a gapper to right centerfield to drive in both baserunners and give EC a 2-0 lead. Winstead made it 3-0, coming around to score on an RBI single by centerfield Taylor Chelak (Westborough, Mass.) to wrap the damage in the frame.
• Conti picked up the milestone hit in the fifth inning, taking the first pitch she saw and pulling it through the left-side infield hole to drive in the fourth Emmanuel run of the day to give the Saints a 4-0 cushion.
• Fontbonne pushed three runs across in the sixth to cut the lead to 4-3. The Griffins loaded the bases and senior Lilly Jones (Benton, Mo.) sent a flare to center. Chelak had a beat on the ball and attempted a diving catch butthe ball landed just in front of her glove and scooted past her allowing the bases to clear on Jones' three-RBI triple.
• The Griffins then scored two unearned runs in the seventh to take their first lead of the game at 5-4. First year Brenna Foley (Raleigh, N.C.) delivered the devastating blow with a two-out two-RBI single up the middle to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs.
• The Saints tried to respond in the bottom half of the frame, loading the bases, but were unable to get the equalizer in the 5-4 final as FU relief pitcher Abby Alonzo (Oakvill, Mo.) was strong in relief to earn the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Conti becomes the fastest player in program history to reach the 100-hit milestone doing it in just 73 games, two games faster than Catherine Davis '16 who previously held the record at 75 games.
• Alonzo worked the final three and 1/3 innings of the game allowing just one run on three hits to record the victory and improve to 2-1 on the year.
• Emmanuel starter Mackenzie Briggs (West Warwick, R.I.) didn't factor into the decision going five and 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits while striking out a pair. Senior Tianna Dawe (Lynn, Mass.) suffered the loss, allowing the two unearned runs in the final frame to fall to 1-4 on the year.
• Hayes and senior Maegan Amsler (Hanover, Mass.) both finished the game with a 2-for-3 clip at the plate
• Eight of the nine Emmanuel hitters recorded hits on the game.

UP NEXT

• Emmanuel wraps up its spring break trip tomorrow beginning at 9:00 AM vs. Oswego State.
• Fontbonne takes on Hiram at 9:00 AM tomorrow morning in Davenport, Fla.