Rochester, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly softball team split their road doubleheader with the Saint John Fisher Cardinals, losing game one by a score of 4-1 and winning game two by a score of 11-6. Kelly Powell and Ava Faragon had strong days at the plate, with Powell going 5-7 and Ava going 5-7 with 5 RBIs. The Wildcats are now 16-9 on the season.
GAME ONE:Â
The Cardinals wasted no time capitalizing in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff single from Madi Rose and a walk to Maddie Donlin, St. John Fisher loaded the bases with just one out. A clutch two-out single to center by Amalia DeMartino brought in both Rose and Donlin to put the home team up 2–0 early.
SUNY Poly struggled to find momentum at the plate in the early innings, striking out in order in the second and stranding two runners in the third. Meanwhile, St. John Fisher tacked on another run in the bottom of the second.
The Cardinals added an insurance run in the fourth without the benefit of a hit, as a pair of walks and two passed balls allowed a runner to cross the plate, making it 4–0.
Despite being shut down for most of the game, SUNY Poly began to threaten in the later innings. The Wildcats put runners on in the fourth and fifth but couldn't break through. Kelly Powell was a bright spot offensively, notching three hits on the day, including a single in the sixth to keep SUNY Poly's hopes alive.
In the seventh, the Wildcats finally broke through. Ava Faragon doubled to right-center to lead off the inning, and after advancing to third on a groundout, she scored on a two-out double from Kimberly Birmingham down the left field line. L. Larsen came in to run, but the Wildcats couldn't bring her around, as a fly out ended the game with a 4-1 score.Â
GAME TWO:Â
The Wildcats wasted no time setting the tone in the top of the first. Ava Faragon drew a leadoff walk, and singles by Shelbi Hagues and Anabella Mondello loaded the bases with nobody out. Faragon scored on a wild pitch, and Kimberly Birmingham followed with a two-run single to center to give SUNY Poly an early 3–0 lead.
The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas in the second inning. Jadyn Childers, Aliva Turk, and Taylor Hunter all walked to load the bases, and Faragon delivered again, roping a two-run double to right-center. Hagues added an RBI single to right, though Faragon was cut down trying to score. By the time the dust settled, SUNY Poly had a 6–0 advantage.
St. John Fisher didn't stay quiet for long. In the bottom of the second, Emily McManus crushed a solo homer to right-center to put the Cardinals on the board. A pair of walks, a fielding error, and a wild pitch helped plate two more runs, trimming the lead to 6–3.
After a scoreless third and fourth, SUNY Poly looked poised to extend their lead in the fifth, but couldn't cash in after Mondello reached on an error. The Cardinals took advantage of the missed opportunity, clawing back in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run double from Tori Lopresto that cut the deficit to 6–5.
The Wildcats responded in the sixth with a much-needed insurance run. Childers singled and later scored on an RBI single by Faragon, making it 7–5.
St. John Fisher answered right back. Donlin doubled and later scored on a fielding error, pulling the Cardinals within one again at 7–6. But that would be as close as they'd get.
In the top of the seventh, SUNY Poly exploded for four more runs to put the game out of reach. Birmingham and Powell singled to start the rally, and Childers came through with an RBI double. Turk followed with another run-scoring single before Faragon capped her monster day with a two-run single that included an extra base and a throwing error, pushing the lead to 11–6.
Trinity Critelli shut the door in the bottom of the seventh, retiring the side with minimal damage despite a two-out threat.
