Errors Plague Cardinals on Day One of Lead Off Classic
The St. John Fisher College softball team dropped its first two matchups of the Lead Off Classic, falling to both University of St. Thomas and Methodist University. Friday’s games were the first of six total, as the Cardinals will play two games on both Saturday and Sunday.
The Classic is being hosted by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and is taking place in Columbus, GA at the South Commons Complex.
Game One: St. Thomas 2, Fisher 0
The Cardinals tallied just three hits in their first game of the day, and no runner was able to advance past second base as the Tommies earned the shutout.
St. Thomas scored both of their runs in the fifth inning when Kimmy Hassel singled, with two outs, to drive in two teammates. After Cardinal pitcher Danielle Leone turned a double play, the Tommies drew two walks and were hit by a pitch on the next three batters, loading the bases for Hassel.
The two runs would be the only scored in the game, as St. Thomas earned the 2-0 victory.
Meghan Burns picked up two of Fisher’s three hits, while Jess D’Angelo had the third. Leone falls to 1-2 on the year from the circle, allowing just four hits in the game.
Game Two: Methodist 3, Fisher 1
In Fisher’s second game of the day, the Cardinals and Monarchs were both plagued by errors, but it was Methodist who capitalized. Sarah Stefanon pitched a strong game in the circle for Fisher, totaling 11 strikeouts in the complete game effort.
However, the Cardinals totaled four errors and all three of Methodist’s runs were unearned.
Methodist was the first to strike, gaining a 1-0 lead in third inning. After Heather Williams reached on an error, the Monarchs singled with two outs to take the lead.
Fisher responded in the fourth inning, also in a two out situation. Lindsey Holtz reached on a fielder’s choice then, with D’Angelo at the plate, an error by the left fielder allowed Holtz to come all the way home from first base.
But, Methodist answered the very next inning, as Fisher posted two more blunders. Sarah Stapleton, who reached on a Cardinal error, would prove to be the game’s winning run after she was brought in by Lindsay Tippett. Tippett also reached by a Fisher mistake, extending the inning and making way for teammate Ally Griffin who singled in the game’s third and final run.
In addition to her strikeout total, Stefanon walked two batters and allowed five hits. Burns again led Fisher at the plate with two hits. Kate Disbrow and Leanne Merchant both had one hit.
Fisher (2-4) will return to action at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, facing Willamette in the Lead Off Classic.