Softball | 5/20/2021 1:00:00 PM
For the 11th time in program history, the nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College softball team will vie for an NCAA Championship as the Cardinals, who are slated 16th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, head to Erie, Pa. on Friday where they will take on York College of Pennsylvania in the opening game of the NCAA Division III Championship.
Those unable to venture across state lines are still able to watch every pitch by clicking the links below:
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NEW FORMAT: The 2021 season will mark the first year of the NCAA's new format as the Cardinals will compete against five other teams in a six-team regional with the winner advancing to the World Series. Prior to this year, the NCAA had a four-team regional followed by a two-team Super Regional to determine the final eight teams.
FAMILIAR FACES: The Erie Regional features some familiar teams for head coach
Bari Mance including the University of Rochester, which played Fisher to a split earlier this season in a battle of two top 25 programs. Former Empire 8 rival Stevens is also at this regional with Fisher having gone 15-6 against the Ducks over 21 games dating back to 2006. SUNY Geneseo will also compete in Erie after having won the SUNYAC Championship for the third time in its history.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Cardinals earned one of five coveted Pool C bids into this year's field and parlayed that into the top overall seed in the Erie Regional while the Spartans claimed their first-ever MAC Commonwealth Championship last weekend after sweeping Messiah.
1-2 PUNCH: One of Fisher's biggest strengths has been its pitching as the Cardinals boast perhaps the top 1-2 punch in the Northeast with Emily Trotman and Jess Patterson. Over 33 games so far this season, the duo has combined to produce a 1.75 earned run average and 171 strikeouts over 200-plus innings. Trotman is 14-3 with a 1.71 ERA to go along with 12 complete games and five shutouts while Patterson is 14-2 with a 1.79 earned run average and a team-leading 115 Ks. Both have pitched a no-hitter this season with Patterson having done so against Utica College in the Empire 8 Championship earlier this month.
ALL-REGION BOOST: It's always nice to be recognized and the Cardinals have received their fair share of praise leading into this weekend's championship tournament. In all, four players were named All-Region by the NFCA last week headlined by Trotman, Patterson and Allie Klonowski who were each named First-Teamers. Rachel Evans was named Second-Team All-Region following a standout 2021 season. The news came on the heels of Fisher's having had 10 players named All-Conference by the Empire 8 including Trotman who was named the conference's Player of the Year.
WHO ORDERED THE BOOM SAUCE? Power up and down a lineup is a luxury that few teams have, however, the Cardinals have proven to be one of the deepest lineups in the country this season as their 30 home runs ranks 19th in all of Division III. In all, head coach
Bari Mance can pencil in six players who have hit multi home runs this season led by Klonowski who ranks 23rd in the country with nine dingers. Trotman isn't far behind with eight home runs while Evans has rounded the bases four times in 88 at-bats.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Aside from their ability to hit home runs, the Cardinals have been able to put themselves in scoring position often as their 60 doubles so far this year ranks second in the Empire 8. In all, Fisher boasts eight players with at least five doubles to their credit led by Trotman who has belted 11 in 33 games. Maria Marcera has connected for nine two-baggers while Klonowski has eight. Evans and Sammie Torlish have combined for 13 doubles while Megan Kreger and Allison Rogowski have each hit five for Fisher.
SCOUTING YORK: The Spartans bring an 18-9 overall record into Friday's pairing including seven wins in their last eight outings. Overall, York is hitting .313 as a team and is averaging a shade under 5.5 runs per game. The Spartans don't have much pop in their lineup with only 10 home runs and 42 doubles, but they have speed with 12 triples and 147 runs.
Alyssa Harhigh has been their driving force at the plate as her .511 average is among the nation's leaders. Harhigh has accounted for 46 hits including 12 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 35 RBI. Elle Meyer is hitting .433 with 42 hits and leads the team with 18 stolen bases while Daphney Adams owns a .384 average over 27 games played. Kaela Fritz has 21 hits in 58 at-bats.
In the circle, Shyla Pastore has made 14 appearances and pitched to a 2.09 earned run average over 77.0 innings of work. Taylor Lindsay has a 1.78 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 43.1 innings while Meyer has tossed 20.0 innings on the season.