GENESEO, N.Y. – Isabella Mahar delivered a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the St. John Fisher softball team past SUNY Brockport on Day 1 of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament on Thursday at SUNY Geneseo's Vic Raschi Field. The Cardinals improved to 28-11 overall with the victory, while the Golden Eagles fell to 18-18.
How it Happened
Molly Kuhn and Liana DeValder were locked in a pitchers' duel for the Cardinals and Golden Eagles, respectively. Through seven innings, neither team could break through as the game remained scoreless despite multiple scoring opportunities. Fisher stranded six runners on base, while Brockport left four runners aboard.
Kuhn was dominant in the circle, allowing just five hits while striking out eight and issuing no walks through seven innings. DeValder matched that performance, surrendering only four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.Â
Kuhn continued her dominant outing in the top of the eighth, retiring all three batters she faced and striking out two to keep Brockport off the board heading into the bottom half of the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, Madi Rose led off with a single to shortstop before Sarah Gross laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Rose into scoring position. With one out and the game on the line, Mahar stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch two-run home run to left field, lifting the Cardinals to a walk-off victory.
Game Notes
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Kuhn turned in one of her best performances of the season, striking out 10 batters while allowing just five hits with no walks and no runs. The shutout marked her fifth of the season, a career high.
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Mahar launched her third home run of the season with the game-winning blast in the eighth inning.
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CC Holmes and Rose each finished with two hits for the Cardinals.
Up Next
The Cardinals will face the winner of Game 3 of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament between Nazareth University and Alfred University at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 8, in Geneseo, N.Y.
