St. John Fisher University Athletics

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher softball team split a road doubleheader against RIT on Wednesday, winning the first game 9-0 in five innings before falling to the Tigers 3-2 in the second game. With the results, the Cardinals moved to 9-5 on the season. 

Game 1: St. John Fisher 9, RIT 0 (5 Innings)

The Cardinals came out strong in the top of the first inning. Freshman Sarah Gross doubled to left-center field and advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out. Junior Taylor Shackleton followed with a single to left-center, driving in Gross to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, with one out, sophomore Julia Hollister drew a walk before senior Madi Rose reached on a single to shortstop, putting runners on first and second. Gross then tripled to right-center field, scoring both Hollister and Rose to make it 3-0. She later scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 4-0. Shackleton and junior Emily McManus each drew walks to keep the inning alive before senior Isabella Mahar capped the rally with a single up the middle to bring in another run.

The score remained unchanged until the top of the fifth inning. Junior CC Holmes led off with a single up the middle, and sophomore Maddy Schubach followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. Senior Gracie Curella reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases for Gross, who ripped her second three-bagger of the game to score all three runners. Shackleton followed with a double to right field, bringing home Gross to make it 9-0 and cap the scoring. 

Junior Molly Kuhn pitched a complete five innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven. It marked her second outing this season in which she allowed only two hits and her third with seven or more strikeouts. 

Game Notes

• Gross went 3-for-4, marking her second consecutive game with three hits. She drove in a season-high five runs. 

• Shackleton added two hits, recording her sixth multi-hit game of the season.

Game Two: St. John Fisher 2, RIT 3

The Cardinals opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a runner on first, as McManus doubled down the right-field line to score Shackleton, who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the frame. 

The Tigers answered in the bottom half of the inning. Taryn Jones reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Ann Cavotta to tie the game. Kate Carlone then grounded out to shortstop, bringing in Carlianna Ewing to give the Tigers the lead. Madison Passineau followed with a double to left-center field, extending the advantage to 3-1.

Schubach led off the top of the second by reaching on an error by the shortstop and advanced to third on senior Leah Fron's groundout to third. With one out, Rose reached on another error by the shortstop, moving Schubach to third. Gross then singled to right field to score Schubach and cut the deficit to one. 

The Cardinals threatened multiple times later in the game but were unable to capitalize, leaving the bases loaded twice. 

Game Notes

• Rose, Gross and Fron all recorded two hits.

• Freshman Ayla Terpening pitched five innings and only allowed one hit. 

Up Next

The Cardinals open Empire 8 Conference play with a doubleheader on Saturday at Houghton. The first game will begin at 1 p.m.