Softball | 4/24/2024 11:20:00 AM

PITTSFORD, NY – The St. John Fisher University softball team, winners of 12 straight, will have six games in three days this weekend, playing doubleheaders on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Nazareth, Houghton, and Keuka respectively. 
 
Here's what you need to know:
 
Last Time Out
The Cardinals swept Clarkson on Monday in a doubleheader, forcing early ends to both games thanks to the run-rule. Their 9-1 win in game one was keyed by a 3-for-4 day from freshman first baseman Taylor Shackleton at the plate while junior Ainsley Evanetski brought a no-hitter into the sixth in the circle. In game two's 10-0 victory, junior Mari Spitz hit her first home run of the season and plated four runs while junior Cassidy Ormond threw a five-inning shutout.
 
Schedule Changes
Fisher wasn't supposed to play three days straight, but worries about possible inclement weather pushed Wednesday's games at Nazareth to Thursday afternoon at 3:30. In addition, the games against Houghton will be held at 4:00 and 6:00, an hour later than initially planned. 
 
Know Your Foe: Nazareth
Nazareth enters the week 4-22 overall this season, including a 2-6 conference record. However, they are not without good young players. Freshman Morgan Russo, for example, is tied for fourth in the conference in doubles (10), tied for eighth in hits (29), and ninth in OPS (1.096). Fellow freshman Haleigh Suitor is tied for third in the conference for home runs, with four. Their top pitcher is likely freshman Avery Zembek, who sits sixth in the conference with 47 strikeouts.
 
Although considered rivals due to the closeness of the campuses, the Cardinals have dominated the Golden Flyers since 2007, winning 32 of the teams' 35 games. Their last loss came on April 12, 2022. Before that, Fisher hadn't lost to Nazareth since 2015. 

Fun fact: Nazareth's original campus was on Lake Avenue in Rochester. 
 
Know Your Foe: Houghton
Another Empire 8 opponent, Houghton begins the week 10-16-1, including an unusual 10-10 tie against RIT on March 25 when their game was shortened due to darkness. The Highlanders are 2-4 against Empire 8 opponents. Their top hitter is likely senior Carlee Miller, who stands third in the league in RBI (27) and tied for fourth in doubles (10). Kareen Ulfig leads the Highlanders on the mound with a 3.75 ERA, eighth-best in the conference. 
 
The Cardinals have never lost to Houghton since the Highlanders joined Division III and the Empire 8 in the early 2010s: they are 22-0. Last season, Fisher beat Houghton in their two games by a combined score of 16-1.
 
Fun fact: Houghton was actually initially founded as a high school and seminary.
 
Know Your Foe: Keuka
Rounding out the trio of Empire 8 teams this week are the Keuka College Wolves. Starting the week at 9-14 overall and 3-5 in conference, they are led offensively by freshman Hailey Jasinski. The Buffalo native is third in the Empire 8 in on-base-percentage (.529), fourth in batting average (.443), and fifth in both slugging (.700) and OPS (1.229). Sophomore Olivia Flynn leads the Keuka rotation with a 3.68 ERA, sixth-best in the conference.
 
Fisher is 23-3-1 all-time with Keuka, including winning both games last season with them by a combined score of 16-3. The Cardinals haven't lost to Keuka since a 7-2 defeat on March 21, 2019. 
 
Fun fact: Keuka College's teams were going to be called the Wolfpack after changing their name from the Storm in the early 2010s, but North Carolina State threatened them with a lawsuit. 
 
Pair of Aces
The two-time defending Empire 8 Pitcher of the Week, junior Cassidy Ormond, has continued to dominate the conference. She possesses a 1.04 ERA overall and a miniscule 0.37 ERA against Empire 8 opponents. The Cicero native threw a run-rule shortened perfect game against RIT on March 27,  and came within two outs of a no-hitter last week at SUNY Fredonia. 
 
The other main starting pitcher for the Cardinals, junior Ainsley Evanetski, has been just as dominant. Her 1.58 ERA is behind only Ormond in the conference, while Evanetski leads the Empire 8 in opposing batting average (.163). She has also flirted with no-hit glory, going five no-hit innings against Clarkson in the first game on Monday before giving up hits in the sixth and final inning. 
 
What Comes Next
After going through three days of play, the Cardinals will take a few days off before hosting Utica University on May 4. Game 1 is scheduled for 1:00 P.M.
 
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