PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University softball team is hosting the 2024 Empire 8 Softball Championship and the no. 1 seed Cardinals kicked off their portion of the competition with a contest against no. 4 Russell Sage College. Fisher defeated the Gators to extend their winning streak to 21 games and now look to secure a spot in the Championship game.
 
Sage struck first with a double steal in the first inning that put them ahead, 1-0. The Cardinals quickly responded in the bottom of the frame, with Taylor Shackleton doubling down the line to bring in Madi Rose and Maddie Donlin. After a pair of quiet innings, the Gators scored in the top of the fourth, but Fisher answered once again. Kelly Cournoyer homered to right center to reclaim the lead, and later Rose recorded an infield single to score Liv Godley, who pinch ran for Emma Maclachlan. Donlin gave the team a 5-3 lead with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Cassidy Evanetski. The final runs of the game came in the fifth inning, with Maclachlan hitting a home run to left field to drive in two runs and putting the team in front 7-2.
 
Cassidy Ormond earned the start and the win, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing two runs on five hits and striking out four. Ainsley Evanetski game in to pitch the sixth and seventh inning and allowed just one hit and struck out two to secure the victory.
 
Rose finished the game 3-for-4 with a double, one run and one RBI. Maclachlan and C. Evanetski both recorded multi-hit games, with Maclachlan also tallying two RBI.
 
Fisher will take on no. 3 Utica University who defeated no. 2 Alfred University in the first game of the day. First-pitch is slated for 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10.
 
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