Utica, NY –The EC Softball team fought well behind Alex Puglisi '14, but it would not be enough as they fell in 12 innings, 2-0, to No. 3 St. John Fisher College at Greenman Field in the first game of the Empire 8 Softball Tournament. The Cardinals improve to 31-11 and move on to play the winner of No. 1 Utica College vs. No. 4 Alfred University later today. The Soaring Eagles fall to 23-12 and will play the loser of Utica vs. Alfred not before 2 p.m. this afternoon.    

The first eleven innings of the game was a pitcher's dual with EC's star Puglisi facing off with Fisher's ace on the mound Sarah Stefanon. Ashley Palmer '16 gave the Soaring Eagles the best chances to score when she hit two triples to lead off the fifth and seventh innings, but Stefanon had no fear shutting down the rest of the EC batting lineup. After the seventh inning both teams were able to get a few more hits, but nothing really started going until the 12th.

In the top of the 12th Meghan Burns stepped up for the Cardinals hitting a solo shot over the center field fence to make it 1-0. After a couple of base hits by Fisher, Danielle Leone came through for an RBI single to make it 2-0 going into the bottom half. EC got one more shot in the bottom of the inning, but Stefanon shut down the side closing out the victory for the Cardinals.

Stefanon earned her ninth shutout pitching all 12 innings allowing seven hits and two walks, while striking out 12. Puglisi suffers the loss pitching 12 innings allowing six hits, two runs and one walk, while striking out seven.   

The Soaring Eagles will look to rebound later today when they face Utica College or Alfred University at Greenman Field in the Empire 8 Softball Tournament.