Fisher Softball Drops Two More in Georgia
The St. John Fisher College softball team lost two games on Saturday at the Lead Off Classic in Columbus, GA, extending the team’s losing streak to four-straight games. Fisher dropped the first contest of the day to Willamette then had to wait for their next opponent. Following the results of other games, Fisher was faced against DePauw University, who beat the Cardinals in the afternoon matchup.
Fisher is now 2-6 on the year, and will have two more contests while in Columbus.
Game One: Willamette 5, Fisher 3
The sixth inning proved detrimental to the Cardinals, as Willamette rallied from a 3-1 deficit to post four runs and take a 5-3 lead. That score would hold through the top of the seventh inning, with Fisher unable to drive in the necessary tying runs.
Jessie Smyrski singled with two outs in that inning, bringing Hannah Freyer to the plate as the potential tying run, but an unassisted out by the first baseman ended the game.
After walking the first batter of the sixth inning, Fisher’s starting pitcher Lauren Wesolowski was replaced by Sarah Stefanon. Stefanon hit the first batter she faced, and struck out the second, but a one-out walk loaded the bases. The Cardinals were able to pick up the second out with a force at third, but a catching error at first base allowed two runs to come across, evening things at 3s.
The Bearcats went ahead on the next batter, when Heather Winslow doubled to left field and brought in two teammates from the base paths.
The Cardinals were the first to tally when Samantha Poules doubled to left field and brought home Olivia Fusilli. Fusilli led the second inning off with a single. But the Bearcats answered in the third, making it 1-1.
Poules put the Cardinals ahead in the top of the sixth inning, when she again brought in Fusilli, but this one came on a deep home run to left field making it 3-1. Those two would both lead the team with two hits in the game, while Poules totaled three RBI.
Fisher picked up a season-high nine hits, with Lauren Owens, Kaylee Tallman, Jazzi Chadwick and Jennifer Knaak all making contact once.
Wesolowski struckout one and walked one in her five innings, while Stefanon sent two down swinging. All of five of Willamette’s runs were unearned.
Game Two: DePauw 4, Fisher 0
Following the game with Willamette, the Cardinals drew DePauw University for its second game of the day. The Tigers shutout Fisher in the afternoon contest, marking the fourth time the Cardinals have been held scoreless this season.
The game’s first run, and eventual game-winner, came in the fourth inning when Fisher conceded a run, choosing to throw to first base rather than home. Amy Hallett, who hit a double to get on, was moved to third by the Tiger’s pitcher Emily Dieckmann. After reaching on a fielder’s choice, Dieckmann intentionally set herself up in a rundown situation, allowing Hallett to score.
The Tigers added two more in the fifth, making the game 3-0, then finished their scoring with a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning.
Danielle Leone pitched all seven innings for Fisher, finishing with three strikeouts and a single run.
Fisher will return to action for the final day of the Lead Off Classic, facing the loser of Central and SUNY Cortland at 8 a.m.