SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The St. John Fisher University baseball team opened the 2026 Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament with a dominant 3-0 shutout victory over Brockport on Thursday afternoon at Central Park. Justin Christensen and Nathan Benjamin combined to blank the Golden Eagles on five hits while striking out eight, as the Cardinals advance in the tournament field. Fisher improves to 28-10 on the season with the win.
Fisher managed just four hits against Brockport starter Tyler Pohlman, but made the most of their opportunities with six walks drawn throughout the lineup. Ryan Vanderlip provided the biggest swing of the afternoon, leading off the third inning with a solo home run to left field. Jacob Penafeather drove in the first run of the game with a bases-loaded groundout in the second inning, and an error on a Noah Pohrte ground ball allowed Jackson Frey to score a run. Brendan Bucello also reached base twice with a bunt single and a walk, while Frey drew a walk and singled to set up the second-inning rally.
On the mound, Justin Christensen was masterful, working into the late innings while holding Brockport to three hits and zero runs with six strikeouts. Christensen consistently attacked the Brockport lineup — capitalizing by inducing key groundouts and getting big strikeouts. Nathan Benjamin came on in relief and closed the game out, earning the save, over the final two innings, allowing just two hit while striking out two to preserve the shutout.
How It Happened
Both pitchers set the tone early with scoreless first innings. Tyler Pohlman retired the top of Fisher's order in order, while Christensen did the same to Brockport.
Fisher struck first in the second inning. Jordan Perry grounded out to start the frame, but Hunter Fales drew a walk and raced to third when Jackson Frey singled to center. Brendan Bucello then walked to load the bases, and Jacob Penafeather grounded back to the pitcher to score Fales for the first run of the game. With two outs, Noah Pohrte reached on a Brockport shortstop error, and the errant throw allowed Jackson Frey to score an unearned run from third, pushing Fisher ahead 2-0.
Ryan Vanderlip led off the third inning by driving Pohlman's first pitch over the left field fence for a solo home run, extending the lead to 3-0.
Brockport attempted to respond in each of the next several innings using small ball. In the second, Matthew Coon singled and was bunted to second by Blake Fortunato, then bunted to third by Cole Grazioplene, but Christensen got a hit-by-pitch and a fielder's choice to escape without damage. In the third, Kyle Blake singled and Indek reached on a bunt fielder's choice, but Christensen stranded both by striking out Evan Brock and inducing a fly out.
Fisher had their best chance to add to the lead in the fourth, loading the bases with one out on a Bucello bunt single, a Penafeather single, and a Pohrte walk, but Cubello lined into an inning-ending double play to strand three runners.
Game Notes
- Christensen and Benjamin combined for a complete-game shutout, the first by St. John Fisher pitching in a postseason contest since May 19, 2016, when the Cardinals shut-out Kean in the NCAA Regional.
- Fisher drew six walks and capitalized on a critical Brockport error in the second inning to score two of their three runs.
Up Next
The Cardinals advance in the 2026 Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament with a spot in the championship contest on the line. They will face Russell Sage, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8.
