GENESEO, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher softball team closed out the 2026 season with a 5-3 victory over SUNY Geneseo in the Day 3 elimination game of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament before falling to Alfred University 3-1 in the championship game. The Cardinals finished the season 30-12 overall.
Game One: St. John Fisher 5, Geneseo 3
The Cardinals came out strong, opening the scoring at the top of the first inning. With two outs, Taylor Shackleton launched a solo home run to left field to give Fisher an early 1-0 lead.
The Knights responded in the bottom half of the inning when Ray Schumacher connected on a solar home run of her own to even the score at 1-1.
Fisher regained momentum at the top of the third inning. Alyssa Dawson led off with a single before Gracie Curella reached on an error, moving the runner into scoring position. Madi Rose followed with an RBI single up the middle ot put the Cardinals back in front. After Sarah Gross singled to load the bases, Shackleton added a sacrifice fly to extend Fisher's lead to 3-1.
The Cardinals added insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning. Isabella Mahar led off with a double to left field before CC Holmes followed with a single, moving Mahar to third. Holmes later stole second to out two runners in scoring position. Maddy Schubach delivered an RBI single up the middle to extend the lead to 4-1, and Julia Hollister added a sacrifice fly to center field to score another run and give Fisher a 5-1 advantage.
Geneseo answered in the bottom half of the inning when Schumacher connected on her second home run of the game, a two-run shot that cut the deficit to 5-3 and capped the scoring.
Molly Kuhn earned the win in the circle after pitching a complete game for the Cardinals. Kuhn allowed three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out two over seven innings.
Game Notes
Game Two: St. John Fisher 1, Alfred 3
The Saxons opened the scoring at the top of the second inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Bella Mistretta drove in a run on an RBI groundout to give Alfred an early 1-0 lead.Â
Alfred extended its advantage in the top of the fourth. With one out and a runner on second, Samanatha Vidal lined an RBI single up the middle to make it 2-0.
The Cardinals answered in the bottom half of the inning. Shackleton and Mahar drew consecutive walks before Holmes reached on an infield error that brought home a run and cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Saxons responded in the top of the fifth inning. With one out and runners on second and third, Paris Guzman delivered an RBI single up the middle to extend Alfred's lead to 3-1.
Fisher threatened in the final innings but was unable to capitalize on its scoring opportunities as Alfred held on for the 3-1 victory.
Hallie Lorimer made the start in the circle for the Cardinals, pitching two innings. Kuhn entered in relief and tossed the final five innings.
