GENESEO, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher softball team dropped a 7-5 decision to Alfred University in its opening game of Day 2 of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament before rebounding with a 2-0 victory over Russell Sage College to remain alive in the tournament.
The Cardinals now hold an overall record of 29-12.
Game One: St. John Fisher 5, Alfred 7
The Saxons struck first in the opening inning. Samantha Vidala led off with a triple to right-center field before Bella Mistretta followed with a sacrifice fly to center giving Alfred an early 1-0 lead.
Alfred added to its advantage in the second inning. With one out, Paris Guzman singled and later moved into scoring position on a groundout. Brielle Wark then delivered an RBI single trough the right side to extend the Saxons' lead to 2-0.\
The score remained unchanged until the fourth inning when Alfred added another run. Ally Bogler double to left field with one out before Guzman singled to right, putting runners on the corners. Taylor Carson followed with an RBI single through the left side to give the Saxons a 3-0 advantage.
Fisher responded in the bottom half og the inning. Taylor Shackleton opened the frame with a single to center field, and Isabella Mahar drew a walk to put two runner on base. After one out, Maddy Schubach doubled to right field to drive in the Cardinals' fist run and cut the deficit to 3-1. Hallie Lorimer then produced an RBI groundout to make it a one-run game before Julis Hollister tied the contest at 3-3 with an RBI double to right-center field.
The Saxons regained the lead in the fifth inning. With one out, Mistretta singled to right field and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher. Molly Whitmyer then lined an RBI single to center field, putting Alfred back in front, 4-3.
Alfred added insurance runs in the top of seventh inning. With a runner one second base, Mistretta doubled to left-center field to drive in a run. Kendall Steward followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 6-3. Later in the inning, Bougler singled to left field with a runner on second, pushing across another run to give the Saxons a 7-3 advantage.Â
Facing its final at bat in the bottom of the seventh, Fisher mounted a two-out rally. Alya Terpening and Madi Rose drew consecutive walks to put two runners on base before Sarah Gross lined an RBI single down the right-field line to cut the deficit to three runs. Shackleton followed with an RBI single through the left side to bring home another run and cap the scoring at 7-5.
Game Notes
Game Two: St. John Fisher 2, Russell Sage 0
Both teams showcased strong pitching and defense through the first four innings, as neither side was able to break through offensively.
The Cardinals finally broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Rose singled up the middle to put a runner on base before Gross reach on an error that allowed Rose to score, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. With a runner on second, Shackleton singled up the middle ot drive in another rune and extend Fisher's advantage to 2-0.
Russell Sage was unable to generate any offense over the final innings as the Cardinals held on for the 2-0 victory.
CC Holmes tossed a complete-game shutout in the circle to earn the win for the Cardinals.
Game Notes
Up Next
The Cardinals will face SUNY Geneseo in Game 9 of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, in Geneseo, N.Y.Â
