Softball team loses third-place game in Florida tournament

The St. Thomas softball team could not keep its winning streak going Sunday, losing its final two games in the Leadoff Classic Tournament in Panama City, Fla.

For the second time in three days, the Tommies lost on a walk-off hit, this time by sophomore Holly Von Fummeti of Central College, which won 5-4. Von Fummeti reached on an error to bring home freshman Rhianna Fleetwood for the winning run.

The Tommies sent the game to extra innings after a single from sophomore Rachel Tondryk drove in junior Chandran Duffy from second base. Erica Wilson led St. Thomas, hitting two for five. Starting pitcher sophomore Angela Phillips pitched only one-and-one-third innings, giving up one hit and one run. Senior Marta Radcliffe pitched six innings in relief for the Tommies, giving up eight hits, four runs and five walks along with five strikeouts.

In the third place game against Willamette University the Tommies gave up two solo home runs in the top of the seventh inning, one to starting pitcher junior Bri Compton and another to sophomore Talissa Huntsman, to lose 2-1.

St. Thomas’ only run came off of a junior Sydney Marquardt home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Tommies had only four hits. Sophomore Christy Gries pitched a complete game for the Tommies, giving up nine hits and two runs with one strikeout.

St. Thomas will travel to Orange County, Calif., over spring break to play in the Sunwest Tournament.

Brian Woitte can be reached at bmwoitte@stthomas.edu.