AUBURNDALE, FL. – The St. John Fisher University baseball team dropped both ends of their doubleheader on Saturday evening, falling to Ohio Northern, 7-3, and 6-5 at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex. The Cardinals moved to 7-4 overall with the losses.
Game One - St. John Fisher 3, Ohio Northern 7
Fisher finished with nine hits in the contest but was unable to overcome an early deficit created by Ohio Northern. Jack Griffin led the Cardinals offensively, going 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Jackson Frey also had a perfect day at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Brendan Bucello added a double and scored a run. Jordan Perry chipped in a hit and scored once for Fisher.
On the mound, Robert Leach (2-1) took the loss despite striking out nine batters over five innings of work. Dylan Becker and Colin Barry combined to pitch the final two innings in relief for the Cardinals.
How It Happened
Ohio Northern jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning, scoring four runs on two hits and a pair of walks to take control at 4-0.
Fisher broke through in the fourth inning when Griffin launched a solo home run to put the Cardinals on the board and cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Polar Bears extended their lead in the sixth inning, plating three runs highlighted by a two-run home run from Andrew Stechschulte to push the score to 7-1.
The Cardinals attempted to rally in the seventh. Bucello doubled to start the inning and later scored before Griffin drove in another run with a base hit. Frey followed with an RBI single to bring Fisher within four, but Ohio Northern closed the door to secure the 7-3 victory.
Game Notes
Griffin finished 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
Frey also recorded three hits and drove in a run.
Leach struck out nine batters across five innings in the start.
Fisher outhit Ohio Northern 9-5 in the contest.
Game Two - St. John Fisher 5, Ohio Northern 6
Fisher finished with five runs on 10 hits in the contest. Jordan Perry led the offense with a 3-for-5 performance, including two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. Jack Griffin added two hits, including a double, and scored twice, while Jackson Frey recorded a double and drove in a run. Mario Cubello also crossed the plate twice, and Hunter Fales and Jacob Penafeather each contributed a hit as the Cardinals produced consistent offense throughout the lineup.
On the mound, Ethan Fulton got the start and worked five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four. Matt Culjak followed with an inning of relief before Caleb Clark took over for the final two frames. Clark was charged with the loss after Ohio Northern scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
How It Happened
The Cardinals struck first in the opening inning. Mario Cubello reached on a single and advanced to third before Jordan Perry drove him in with an RBI double to give Fisher an early 1-0 lead.
Ohio Northern tied the game in the third inning on an RBI single from Carson Stevens.
Fisher regained the lead in the sixth. Cubello reached on an error before Perry doubled to put runners in scoring position. Cubello later scored on a passed ball, and Griffin reached on an error that allowed Perry to score, giving the Cardinals a 3-1 advantage.
The Polar Bears responded in the bottom half of the inning with a four-run rally, highlighted by an RBI single from Stevens and an RBI double from Kyler Lapp, along with two unearned runs to take a 5-3 lead.
The Cardinals battled back in the eighth inning. Griffin doubled to start the frame before Bucello was hit by a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Griffin scored on a passed ball and Frey followed with an RBI double to center field to tie the game at 5-5.
Ohio Northern delivered the walk-off in the ninth. After Tyler Rinehart reached and moved into scoring position, Charlie Oakleaf laid down a bunt single to put runners on the corners before Robbie Reed followed with a bunt single that drove in the winning run, giving the Polar Bears the 6-5 victory.
Game Notes
Perry recorded three hits and two doubles in the contest.
Griffin finished with two hits, including a double, and scored two runs.
Frey's eighth-inning RBI double tied the game at 5-5.
Fisher totaled 10 hits but committed three errors in the game.
Up Next
The Cardinals head home, and return to the diamond on Friday March, 13. They take on RIT at 3:00 PM, in Henrietta, NY.
