St. John Fisher University Athletics

KEUKA PARK, N.Y – The St. John Fisher softball team extended its strong conference play Friday, sweeping Keuka College in an Empire 8 doubleheader. The Cardinals cruised to a 12-1 win in five innings in game one before completing the sweep with a 12-7 victory in game two.

With the pair of wins, Fisher improved to 18-8 overall (9-1 Empire 8), while Keuka fell to 4-15 (2-8 Empire 8).

Game One: St. John Fisher 12, Keuka 1 (Five Innings)

The Cardinals struck early in the top of the first inning. Senior Madi Rose singled to right, stole second, and moved to third on a wild pitch before junior Taylor Shackleton launched a two-run home run to left-center to give Fisher a 2-0 lead.

Fisher added to its advantage in the third inning. Freshman Sarah Gross singled before Shackleton doubled to center field, driving her in to extend the lead to three.

Keuka responded in the bottom half of the inning when Hailey Jasinski laid down a bunt single that scored Katie Landers to make it 3-1.

The Cardinals broke the game open in the fourth. With two outs, senior Gracie Curella drew a walk, and Rose followed with a single to left. Gross then loaded the bases with a base hit through the left side before Shackleton cleared them with a three-run double to left-center, pushing the lead to 6-1.

Fisher sealed the run-rule victory in the fifth inning. Curella doubled to drive in a run, and Rose reached on a throwing error to put runners on the corners. Gross followed by reaching on a dropped ball, bringing in another run. Shackleton added a two-run single, and sophomore Julia Hollister capped the scoring with an RBI double down the left-field line. 

Junior Molly Kuhn earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete five innings for the Cardinals, recording seven strikeouts while allowing just three hits and issuing no walks. It marked her sixth game this season with seven or more strikeouts. Kuhn has not walked a batter in her last four outings and recorded her seventh appearance this season, allowing three or fewer hits. 

Game Notes

• Shackleton went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, and a career-high eight RBIs. With her two doubles, she tied the single-season record in doubles.

• Rose recorded two hits and stole two bases, marking a season high.

• Gross tallied two hits and has recorded multiple hits in each of the last three games.

• Hollister recorded two hits.

• Senior Isabella Mahar stole two bases, marking a career-high.

• As a team, the Cardinals recorded five stolen bases, marking the second time this season.

Game Two: St. John Fisher 12, Keuka 7

The Cardinals carried its momentum into game two, jumping out to an early lead. Gross tripled to right-center before Shackleton brought her home on an RBI groundout to make it 1-0.

Keuka answered in the bottom half of the inning. With one out and a runner on first, Jasinski hit a two-run home run to center field to give the Wolves a 2-1 lead.

The Wolves added to its advantage in the second inning. With one out and a runner on third, Cali Knapp grounded out to second base, driving in a run to make it 3-1.

Fisher responded in the top of the third. Junior Rachel Stabler led off with a single, moved to second on a groundout, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Gross then reached on an infield single to bring Stabler home and cut the deficit to one. 

Keuka extended its lead in the bottom of the inning when Lindsay Stuck launched a three-run home run to left-center, making it 6-2.

The score held until the fifth inning when Fisher began to chip away. Senior Hallie Lorimer drew a leadoff walk, and Curella doubled down the left-field line to score her. Curella later came home on back-to-back wild pitch to make it 6-4.

In the sixth, the Cardinals tied the game. Junior CC Holmes reached on an error and advanced to third on a passed ball. Lorimer doubled to left to bring her in, cutting the deficit to one. Curella followed with a sacrifice fly to score Lorimer and even the game at 6-6.

Keuka regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning. With runners on first and second, Landers delivered and RBI singled to right-center to make it 7-6.

Fisher responded in the top of the seventh to secure the win. With runners on first and second, Mahar tripled to left field to drive in two runs and give the Cardinals the lead. Holmes added a sacrifice fly to score Mahar. With the bases loaded, Rose reached on a throwing error that brought home two more runs, and Gross followed by reaching on an error to plate the final run of the game. 

Holmes made the start in the circle, pitching two innings. Lorimer entered in relief and earned the win, recording three strikeouts while allowing just one run.

Game Notes

• Gross went 3-for-4 with a double and a triple, extending her streak to four consecutive multi-hit games.

• Shackleton and Curella each recorded two hits.

Up Next

The Cardinals will face Elmira College in an Empire 8 doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11th, at the Softball Complex in Pittsford, N.Y., where the team will also honor its seniors.