ITHACA, N.Y.-The fifth-ranked softball team swept St. John Fisher in its first conference doubleheader of the season. The Bombers won the first game 3-0 and the second 9-3.

In the first game, sophomore Nicole Cade (Beaverton/Portland, Ore.) threw a complete-game four-hit shutout. Cade struck out five in her third shutout of the season. The Bombers took an early lead on an RBI single by senior Kaitlyn Dulac (Bay View/East Greenwich, R.I.) in the first inning. In the second inning, sophomore shortstop Erica Cutspec (Fort Plain/Fort Plain) drove in two runs with a single to right field to give the Bombers the final advantage. St. John Fisher started a rally in the fourth inning, loading the bases with one out, but Cade induced two groundouts to keep the Cardinals scoreless.  Cade is now 7-1 on the season.

In the second game, the Bombers again utilized early-inning scoring en route to victory. In the top of the first inning, sophomore Hannah Shalett (Shepaug Valley/Bridgewater, Conn.) led off with a single. Cutspec laid down a bunt that was thrown past the first baseman, sending her to second and Shalett to third. After a groundout, Dulac singled up the middle, driving in two runs. Junior Mel Chinigo (Norwich free Academy/Norwich, Conn.) followed with a single to left field, advancing Dulac to second. After a double steal and a groundout, sophomore second baseman Jessica Stangarone (Brewster/Brewster) hit an infield single to drive in Dulac. The second baseman threw the ball away on the play, allowing Chinigo to score as well.

In the second inning, senior rightfielder Stacey Bartels (Skyview/Vancouver, Wash.) led off with a double to center field and scored on a throwing error by the second baseman on a groundball by Shalett. Dulac hit an RBI single down the left field line and the Bombers took a 6-0 lead. Fisher would answer in the bottom of the second inning, scoring on a single and a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 6-2. The Bombers added to their lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI triple by Chinigo and an single by Stangarone. Senior center fielder Leigh Bonkowski (The Williams School/Mystic, Conn.) drove in the final run with a single up the middle in the sixth inning.

Sophomore pitcher Carly Myers (Claremont Secondary/Vancouver/British Columbia, Canada) improved to 6-1, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out five in the complete game.

In the doubleheader, Dulac had three hits and four RBI’s and Cutspec drove in a pair of runs and had three hits.

Ithaca visits Elmira Thursday at 3 p.m. for a conference doubleheader.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score