Fisher Opens Tournament Play With 7-2 Win over Utica
Championship Page l
Box Score
ITHACA, NY - Second-seeded St. John Fisher scored six runs in the opening inning and sophomore pitcher Lindsey Thayer allowed just three hits as the Cardinals defeated third-seeded Utica 7-2 in the opening game of the Empire Tournament.
Top-seeded Ithaca defeated No. 4 Alfred, 3-2, in the second game of the day. Alfred and Utica will be back in action at 2 p.m. in an elimination game. Fisher and Ithaca, set to square off for a berth to the title game, will play 11 a.m. on Saturday due to inclement weather.
Utica seemed to get off to a good start as senior Alysa Russell
hit a leadoff triple in the top of the first. Russell now moves into sole possession of first place on the College's career triples list. Despite a runner in scoring position, the Pioneers were not able to get a run across.
The Cardinals responded in the bottom half to score six runs on five hits to take a commanding lead. With the bases loaded, Abby Monroe walked Karlie Neale for the first run of the game. Genevieve Paeglow doubled to knock in two runs as the very next batter. Two batters later, Danielle Ventrone tripled to right center field to clear the bases and give the Cardinals a 6-0 advantage.
Fisher added another run in the second inning before Utica was able to stop the bleeding.
The Pioneers got on the board as Russell hit a long shot over the left field fence for her team-leading sixth home run of the year.
Utica threatened in the sixth inning as the Pioneers loaded the bases with just one out. Senior Stephanie Siriano
singled through the right side to drive in one run, but Fisher's defense held on to get the final two outs.
Jennifer Knaak and Ventrone each went 2-for-3 for Fisher.
Russell finished with two of the three hits for the Pioneers.
Thayer allowed two runs on three hits, while striking out 14.