The St. John Fisher College softball split its doubleheader with cross-town rival University of Rochester, currently ranked 18th nationally, on Thursday.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, freshman Sarah Gates hit a towering two-run homer - the first of her collegiate career - to give her team the lead for good.   Rochester scored one run in the seventh and had the tying run on second base with no outs, but pitcher Jessica Maurer struck out the next batter and earned the win with Gates, a left fielder, doubling up the runner on second base after snagging a fly ball for the second out.

Fisher lost the first game 3-1 with Rochester tallying just four hits - three of which were solo home runs.  Amanda Vandermark's single scored Nicole Watkins for the Cardinals lone run.  Pitcher Amanda Shevchuk struck out five batters and didn't allow a hit in four innings of relief.

Fisher (6-6) will return to action on Saturday and will host SUNY Cortland.

GAME ONE BOX SCORE AND PLAY BY PLAY

GAME TWO BOX SCORE AND PLAY BY PLAY