PITTSFORD, NY – The St. John Fisher University baseball team delivered a dominant performance on Sunday afternoon, rolling to 22-2 and 19-2 victories over Keuka College. The Cardinals improved to 13-5 overall and 4-1 in Empire 8 play.

Game One: St. John Fisher 22, Keuka 2

Fisher exploded for 22 runs on 19 hits while drawing seven walks in a relentless offensive showing. Ryan Vanderlip led the charge with a monster day at the plate, going 5-for-5 with a home run, six RBI, and three runs scored. Jackson Frey added two hits, including a triple and a double, driving in three and scoring three times. Hunter Fales chipped in with two hits, including a double, and three RBI, while Jacob Penafeather recorded three hits, highlighted by a triple, and drove in two runs. Jack Griffin contributed with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored as the Cardinals applied constant pressure throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Robert Leach (4-1) earned the win, tossing four innings while allowing just one hit and two unearned runs, striking out two. Colin Barry followed with two scoreless innings in relief, and Ryan Fitzpatrick closed out the game with a scoreless frame. As a staff, Fisher limited Keuka to just two hits on the day.

After a scoreless first inning, Fisher broke the game open in the second. The Cardinals plated six runs on six hits, highlighted by RBI knocks from Ryan Vanderlip and Jordan Perry, along with a two-run double from Jack Griffin and a two-run double from Jackson Frey to take a 6-0 lead.

Fisher continued to pour it on in the fourth inning with an eight-run outburst. Frey tripled home a run, Fales and Brendan Bucello each added RBI singles, and Penafeather delivered an RBI triple. Vanderlip capped the inning with a two-run home run as the Cardinals extended their lead to 14-0.

Keuka got on the board with two unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth, but Fisher answered immediately. The Cardinals scored five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Fales and RBI singles from Penafeather and Vanderlip to push the lead to 19-2.

Fisher added three more runs in the sixth, taking advantage of an error and another RBI hit from Vanderlip to extend the margin to 22-2.

The Cardinals' pitching staff shut the door the rest of the way, holding Keuka scoreless over the final three innings to secure the run-rule victory.

Game Notes

• Vanderlip finished 5-for-5 with a home run and six RBIs.
• Frey tallied a triple, double, and three RBIs.
• Fales recorded two hits and drove in three runs.
• Penafeather collected three hits, including a triple.
• Leach earned his fourth win of the season, allowing just one hit over four innings.
• Fisher out-hit Keuka 19-2 in the contest

Game Two: St. John Fisher 19, Keuka 2

Fisher once again showcased a dominant offensive performance, plating 19 runs on 19 hits while drawing eight walks. Ryan Vanderlip led the way with three hits, four runs scored, and two RBIs, reaching base five times. Jordan Perry added three hits and drove in three runs, while Jack Griffin was perfect at the plate with three hits, three RBIs, and two walks. Noah Pohrte turned in a standout performance with four hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs. Jackson Frey contributed four RBIs, and Matthew Arnold added a pinch-hit RBI single as the Cardinals produced runs up and down the lineup.

On the mound, Justin Christensen (2-0) earned the win, striking out five over four innings while allowing just one run on two hits. Luke Horton followed with 2.1 innings of relief, striking out six, and Nathan Weber closed the game with a scoreless outing. As a staff, Fisher pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.

Fisher jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first inning after capitalizing on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout from Jackson Frey.

The Cardinals broke the game open in the second inning, erupting for six runs on five hits. Pohrte drove in a run with a double before singles from Vanderlip, Perry, and Griffin extended the lead. Frey delivered the big blow with a bases-clearing hit to push the advantage to 8-0.

Fisher added two more runs in the third inning, highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Perry and an RBI double from Griffin to make it 10-0.

After Keuka got on the board in the third, the Cardinals continued to apply pressure. Fisher scored twice in the fourth, with Vanderlip and Perry each driving in runs to extend the lead to 12-1.

The Cardinals tacked on three runs in the fifth inning as Penafeather doubled in a run and Pohrte followed with a two-run single, pushing the score to 15-1.

Keuka added a run in the bottom of the fifth, but Fisher answered again in the seventh with four more runs. Vanderlip doubled home a run, Griffin added a sacrifice fly, and Arnold delivered an RBI single before scoring on a steal and throwing error to cap the scoring at 19-2.

Game Notes

• Vanderlip reached base five times, scoring four runs.
• Pohrte recorded four hits and three RBIs.
• Griffin finished a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two walks.
• Perry added three hits and three RBIs.
• Christensen earned his second win of the season with five strikeouts over four innings.
• Fisher totaled 19 hits for the second straight game.

Up Next

St. John Fisher will play at Dugan Yard again tomorrow, March 30, at 3:00 PM. They will host Keuka but play as the away team in the final game of the Empire 8 series.