ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The No. 12 St. John Fisher College softball team settled for a non-conference split with its crosstown rival, the University of Rochester, who is ranked No. 25 in the latest NFCA poll. The Cardinals took just their third loss of the season in game one, while they grabbed their 23rd win in the nightcap. On the other hand, the Yellowjackets moved to 24-7 following the doubleheader.
 
ROCHESTER 9, FISHER 1 (Five Innings)
 
The Cardinals could only muster up two hits in the night's first affair, as the Rochester pitcher threw to 11 force outs in the five-inning game.
 
After eight Yellowjackets had crossed the plate, Fisher grabbed its lone run in the top of the fifth inning as Maddie Klidonas knocked a two-out double to right field and was sent home by the next batter, Emily Trotman, on a single in the same direction.
 
Trotman took her second loss of the year in the circle after allowing eleven hits and six earned runs in her four-inning appearance.
 
FISHER 3, ROCHESTER 1
 
Wednesday's nightcap was a pitcher's duel to write home about as the throwers from both sides combined for 12 strikeouts just three earned runs. Coming fresh off her career-best performance, Fisher's Jess Patterson put up another great strikeout total with seven and just four hits allowed in her 12^th win of the season.
 
The Cardinals gave up a run in the bottom of the second inning on a wild pitch, but the visitor's offense found its footing by the fourth inning. After two runners were put into scoring position, Rachel Evans cracked an infield single, scoring the lead runner and tying the game at a run apiece.
 
The teams traded outs for the next three innings, before Bari Mance called upon Kenzie Bowerman to pinch hit in the top of the seventh inning. On the first pitch, the sophomore found herself well ahead of the ball, ripping it down the left field line as it ricocheted off the foul pole for her third hit of the 2021 campaign and her first career home run, giving the Cardinals the go-ahead run.
 
After the next two batters, Evans and Allison Rogowski, notched base hits, the Cardinals added another run as Klidonas singled up the middle of the diamond to score the first runner and take a two-run lead which was maintained by the Fisher defense in the bottom half of the frame.
 
Fisher's seven hits in the contest were led by Evans with two, while Emma Smith, Maria Marcera, Bowerman, Rogowski, and Klidonas split the remaining five.
 
The Cardinals will finish up their regular season this Saturday, May 1, when they travel to Elmira College for an Empire 8 doubleheader with the Soaring Eagles. Beginning at 1 P.M., Fisher will look to clinch the regular season conference title and home-field advantage before the team heads into next weekend's Empire 8 Championship.