CLERMONT, F.L. – The St. John Fisher University softball team ends its trip to Florida with a win in five innings against Susquehanna University then loses to Wartburg College in six innings. The Cardinals finish the Florida trip 7-3.

Game 1: St. John Fisher 15, Susquehanna 5

The Cardinals came out strong to open the game. With one out and runners on first and second, Emily McManus launched a three-run home run to left field to give the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead.

Following back-to-back singles, CC Holmes stepped to the plate and singled to right field to score another run and extend the lead to four. Alyssa Dawson then reached on a shortstop error, allowing another run to cross the plate.

In the top of the second inning, the Cardinals continued to add on. With one out and the bases loaded, Maddy Schubach reached on a shortstop error that brought home a run to give the Cardinals a 5-0 advantage. Holmes followed with another single, driving in two runs.

With bases loaded once again, Lauren Policare came off the bench to pinch hit and delivered a two-run single to extend the lead to 10-0. Sarah Gross followed with a single to right field that scored the Cardinals'11th run of the game. With two outs, Taylor Schackleton added an RBI single to right field to push the lead to 12-0.

In the top of the third inning, with no outs and runners on first and second, CC Holmes tripled to right field to drive in both runners and extended the Cardinals' lead to 14. With one out and runners on first and third, Leah Fron grounded out to third base, allowing the Cardinals to score their final run of the game. 

The River Hawks attempted a comeback in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on second and third, Katelyn Dugery doubled down the left field line to score both runners and cut the deficit to 13. Later, with runners on first and third, Isabella Sulesky singled to left center field to bring in another run.

With bases loaded, Elle Walasavage reached on a fielder's choice to shortstop, allowing another run to score for the River Hawks. Sulesky then stole home to score the final run for the River Hawks, but the rally was not enough to complete the comeback.

Game Notes

• Holmes went 4-for-4 at the plate, recording the first four-hit game of her career.

• In the circle, Holmes earned the win after pitching 4.1 innings and allowing just one hit.

Game two: St. John Fisher 4, Wartburg 12

The Knights struck early, getting on the board in the opening inning. With one out and a runner on the corners, Katelyn Klever singled to left field to open the scoring. 

In the top of the second inning, the Knights added to their lead when Amanda Strzyzewski singled to shortstop to drive in a run. Bella Mudler doubled to right-center field, bringing in two runs to make it 4-0.

With one out in the top of the third inning, Ally Happ grounded out to second base, allowing the Knghts to score their fifth run of the game. The next batter, Strzyzewski, followed with another single to shortstop to bring in an additional run.

The Cardinals began to chip away at the deficit in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Holmes blasted a home run to left-center field to cut the Knights' lead to five runs.

The Knights answered in the top of the fourth inning when Alexis Larson doubled to left-center field to drive in a run.

St. John Fisher responded in the bottom of the fourth. With no outs and the bases loaded, Alyssa Dawson grounded out to the pitcher, allowing one run to score and making it a 7-2 game. Schubach later scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to four runs.

The Knights regained control in the top of the sixth inning. With one out and a runner on second, Rylie Metz singled to center field to bring in a run. Later in the inning, with two outs, Liz Kruckenberg doubled down the left-field line to score another run and extend the lead to six. The next batter, Regan Hassel, followed with a three-run home run to push the advantage to nine runs.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cardinals attempted a late rally. With runners on the corners and one out, Policare singled to second base to bring in a run and cut the deficit to eight, but it was not enough to overcome the Knights.

Up Next

The Cardinals will face the University of Rochester in a doubleheader on Wednesday, Mar. 18th, at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Softball Complex in Pittsford, N.Y.