PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College softball team pushed its winning streak to four games on Monday after the Cardinals, who are ranked 12^th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, swept a non-conference doubleheader against Clarkson University at the Softball Complex.  With the wins, Fisher improved to 4-0 while the Golden Knights fell to 2-2.

FISHER 2, CLARKSON 1 (Nine Innings)

After a 1-2-3 top of the first, Fisher got of to a quick start in the home half of the frame as Emily Trotman led off the inning with a single to left before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maria Marcera.  With a runner in scoring position, Sammie Torlish stepped up to the plate and belted a single up the middle to make it 1-0 in the Cardinals' favor.

With both pitchers locked in early, neither team was able to generate any offense until the top of the sixth when the Golden Knights came away with a two-out RBI-double to knot the game at 1-1 heading to the seventh.

After holding the Golden Knights at bay in the top of the seventh, Fisher was poised to put the game away in the bottom of the inning after putting a runner at second with one out, but Clarkson was able to work in and out of trouble to send the game into extra frames.

Following a scoreless eighth inning, the Cardinals put the leadoff hitter on as Maddie Klidonas beat out an infield single before moving to second on a passed ball.  With one on and no outs, Fisher gave up an out to advance the runner before Marcera delivered the game-winning RBI with a sacrifice fly to right to lift the home team to a 2-1 decision.

Trotman, who was named the Empire 8 Pitcher of the Week earlier on Monday, moved to 2-0 in the circle after throwing all nine innings and allowing just one run on six hits.

FISHER 6, CLARKSON 2

After trading zeroes in the first inning, Fisher got on the board in the bottom of the second after stringing together three consecutive hits including an RBI-single by Trotman and a run-scoring double off the bat of Marcera to hold a two-run lead heading to the top of the third.

Fisher doubled its advantage with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the third as Rachel Evans crushed a two-run home run to make it 4-0. The Cardinals tacked on another run in the next inning with Megan Kreger driving in a run to make it a five-run affair.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Cardinals added to their lead with one run on two hits including an RBI-single by Trotman to open up a 6-0 cushion.

Trailing by six runs in the late innings, Clarkson was able to chip away with two runs on three hits, but the Cardinals closed the door on the comeback bid to complete the sweep.

Jess Patterson pitched a complete game in the nightcap and allowed just two runs on four hits.  She finished with two strikeouts and moved to 2-0 with the win.

Fisher will look to add to its winning streak at 3 p.m. on Wednesday when it hosts the University of Rochester in another non-conference twin billing at the Softball Complex.