PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The explosive offense of the No. 11 St. John Fisher College softball team showed its dominance in its sweep of Nazareth in the Cardinals' Empire 8 conference schedule opener on their home field at the Softball Complex, 8-0 and 8-0. With the wins, Fisher moves to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the Empire 8 while Nazareth drops its first two contests of the year and slips to 0-2.
 
FISHER 8, NAZARETH 0
 
After going three-up, three-down for both sides of the first inning, Megan Kreger fired up the Cardinals' offense with a leadoff double. The clean-up hitter crossed the plate after two wild pitches, to put the home team up one run in the second inning.
 
After Emma Smith and Maddie Klidonas smashed back-to-back knocks, Emily Trotman drew a walk to load the bases in the bottom of the third inning. Facing an early 0-2 count, Maria Marcera rocked the follow up pitch to deep left center field, to score all three of the ducks that were on the pond. The grand slam was the first of the transfer senior's career and the second ball she put over the fence in her short career as a Cardinal.
 
Fisher followed up the four-run shot with a single, a double, and a walk to re-load the bases for Allison Rogowski to work a full-count RBI walk. With the bases still jacked, Emma Smith singled to right field to score two more runners, extending the Cardinals lead to eight runs on their six third inning hits.
 
The 8-0 lead held through the next two innings as the Cardinals pitchers combined to strike out two and forced the other four into routine outs. Trotman got the W in the circle for Fisher after pitching four innings, striking out four batters, and allowing just two hits. Jenna Leydecker pitched the fifth inning and retired all three batters she saw, including one strikeout.
 
Marcera led Fisher with her four RBI, while Smith went 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI. Rounding out the hitting in the affair were Kreger, Klidonas, Sammie Torlish, and Allie Klonowski.
 
FISHER 8, NAZARETH 0
 
Fisher got back to work as early as the leadoff hitter in the nightcap as Trotman cranked a base hit up the middle and stole second base to get her in scoring position for the two- and three-hole hitters. Marcera moved her over to third, but not before Torlish could send a sac fly well-hit deep to the right fielder, allowing Trotman to put the first Cardinals' run on the board.
 
Two innings later, the top of the lineup produced bases for the Cardinals yet again as two runners got on base for Kreger. The senior reached first base on an error made by the shortstop, allowing Marcera to cross the plate and add to the Fisher total. Just a batter later, Klonowski ripped a double to the center field wall, scoring two runners and pushing the lead to 4-0. Abby Flakus continued the Cardinals' production with a single hit hardly back at the pitcher, and Allie Rogowski came up to score the lead runner on a fielders choice , creating a five-run deficit.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Klonowski used her big-bat magic again to double in another runner. Two innings later, Marcera and Ava Mills used consecutive base knocks to set up a tricky first-and-third scenario. With Rachel Evans at the plate, Mills took off from her bag to steal the next, and the speedy Marcera advanced on the throw to the plate, allowing Mills to grab another base. With the winning run on third, Evans sent a well-hit sac fly to right field, and the Cardinals took home their second run-rule victory of the day.
 
Jess Patterson had another great outing in the circle as the sophomore struck out seven and allowed just one hit in six innings of work. She was awarded her fourth-straight win of the year as her record remains unblemished.
 
Klonowski had a big outing as she combined for two hits and three RBI, while Trotman and Torlish both added two hits of their own. Marcera, Mills, Kreger, Flakus, and Smith combined for the rest of the Cardinals' 12 hits.
 
Softball gets back to work next Saturday, April 10 when they welcome Keuka College to the Softball Complex for a doubleheader with start times slated for 1 P.M. and 3 P.M.