PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The Elmira College Softball team dropped both games of its Empire 8 opening doubleheader against the Cardinals from St. John Fisher on Saturday afternoon. After falling 14-0 in the opener, the Cardinals came from behind to defeat the Soaring Eagles 9-6 in game two.
Jillian Cortez '23 hit a grand slam in game two of the doubleheader while Madison Brown-Bloom '23 and Alex Brockhuizen '22 each recorded a pair of hits on the day.
GAME INFORMATION:
SCORE: Elmira 0, St. John Fisher 14 (Game One)
Elmira 6, St. John Fisher 9 (Game Two)
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (2-6, 0-2 E8), Fisher (2-8, 2-0 E8)
LOCATION: Pittsford, New York | Softball Complex
W|L|S: Jillian Cortez '23 (0-3) | Jess Patterson (1-4) | None (Game One)
Ally Barr '21 (2-1) | Ainsley Evanetski (1-1) | None (Game Two)
KEY MOMENT:
The Cardinals put up a five-spot in the first inning of game one on five hits and a pair of Soaring Eagle errors. The Cardinals scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to put themselves ahead 14-0.
In game two with the Soaring Eagles trailing 3-1 in the third, Cortez blasted a grand slam to put Elmira back on top 5-3. The Cardinals scored five combined runs in the 5th and 6th innings to retake the lead and the eventual 9-6 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After going scoreless in the top half of the first, Elmira and starting pitcher Cortez got were tabbed for five first inning runs as the Cardinals went for five hits, while taking advantage of a pair of Soaring Eagle errors. Fisher was able to extend its lead to 7-0 in the third inning after scoring a pair of runs on a pair of hits.
Cortez' day came to an end after 4.0 innings of work where she allowed nine runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out five. MaryAnn Sobel '25 came on in relief of Cortez to pitch the 5th, allowing five runs (three earned) over an inning of work while walking three and striking out one.
Elmira was held to just two hits in game one, as the sister pair of Alex and Felicity Brockhuizen '22, each recorded a hit.
In game two, the Soaring Eagles began the scoring in the second inning after recording a run on a pair of hits. After Brown-Bloom singled to the right side to start the frame, Bella DeAmelia '24 singled the other way to put a pair of runners on. From there, the Soaring Eagles would use a bit of two-out energy as Katie Distefano' 24 walked to load the bases before Alexis Dinga '22 reached on an error to bring home the games' opening run.
The Cardinals regained the lead in the bottom of the second after scoring three runs against Elmira starting pitcher Barr. In all, the Cardinals scored three runs on four hits to take a 3-1 lead into the third.
From there, the Soaring Eagles would retake the lead in the 4th after Cortez recorded the third home run of her career, a grand slam, to put the Purple & Gold back on top 5-3. Again, the Cardinals would answer for five runs over the next three innings to retake the lead at 8-5. Elmira scored its final run of the game in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Brown-Bloom.
Barr went 6.0 innings, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 15 hits. She struck out three while not allowing a walk.
UP NEXT:
Tomorrow's doubleheader originally scheduled for 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM against Nazareth has been postponed due to inclement weather. The makeup date is scheduled for April 15. The Soaring Eagles will hit the field on Tuesday at Hilbert. First pitch of game one is set for 3:00 PM.
