Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College softball team used an extra-innings victory to earn a split against the St. John Fisher Cardinals on Saturday in the Bombers' home opening doubleheader. Ithaca dropped the first game by a score of 2-0, before taking down the Cardinals, 5-4, in 11-innings. The Bombers' overall record moves to 13-11, including a mark of 7-3 in the Empire 8. Fisher's record now sits at 21-9 overall and 5-3 in conference play.

Game One: Fisher – 2, Ithaca – 0
Junior Laura Quicker pitched all 7.0 innings in the game one loss, allowing just two earned runs on six Cardinal hits. She also picked up four strikeouts.

Junior Casey Gavin led the offensive charge with a double in a 1-for-3 outing at the plate. Seniors Francesca Busa and Monica Capolongo also went 1-for-3, with each picking up singles. Sophomore Jessie Fleck was 1-for-2, and classmate Kate Brainard was 1-for-1 in a pinch-hitting situation.

The Cardinals used small ball to score the first run of the day, scoring one run on two infield hits and a Bomber error to take a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first. St. John Fisher added to its lead with one run in the top of the third to go up, 2-0.

The Bombers' best opportunity to even the contest came in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, back-to-back singles from Capolongo and Brainard started the offensive push. A walk to senior Nicole Ciricillo in the following at-bat loaded the bases, before a clutch strikeout from the Cardinals ended the rally short.

Although Ithaca pressured late, the Bombers were unable to score, giving St. John Fisher the 2-0 game one victory.

Game Two: Ithaca – 5, Fisher – 4 (11 innings)  
Junior pitcher Allison Macari started the second contest. She gave up three earned runs on six hits in 4.0 innings, while also picking up three strikeouts. Quicker pitched 7.0 innings in relief and was credited with the victory after holding the Cardinals to just two hits over that span. She also recorded four strikeouts.

Gavin once again paced the Bombers offensively with a double on three hits in five at-bats. She led Ithaca with three RBI. Classmate Kelly Robichaud also recorded multiple hits, going 2-for-5 with a pair of singles.

The Bombers scored the game's first runs in the bottom of the opening frame, coming on two hits and a Cardinal error. RBI singles from Gavin and Capolongo accounted for the scoring, putting Ithaca up by a score of 2-0.

St. John Fisher answered back in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs on three hits to tie the contest at 2-2. The Cardinals' momentum carried into the top of the fifth, as they scored one run on two hits to take the 3-2 lead.

The Bombers responded immediately with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame. With a runner at second and one out, Gavin crushed a double to center field, bringing home her third run of the game and tying the score at 3-3.

Neither team was able to score again over the next two innings, sending the game to extras. Scoreless softball carried into the top of the 10th, where the international tie-breaker rule was put into place. Both teams scored once in the 10th, pushing the score to 4-4. The Cardinals were stymied in the top of the 11th, giving the Bombers an opportunity end the game with a single run.

With pinch-runner Tara Condon placed on second, freshman Emily Bloom placed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runner over to third. Ciricillo sent a shot to the outfield in the following at-bat, where it was caught by the Cardinal right fielder. Condon advanced home on the play, scoring the game-winning run on a play at the plate to give Ciricillo the sacrifice fly and Ithaca the 5-4 victory.

The Bombers are right back in action on Sunday, April 19 with a doubleheader against Nazareth at Kostrinsky Field. The contest will mark the team's Senior Day, as the Bombers will honor seniors Francesca Busa, Nicole Ciricillo, Monica Capolongo and Nina Lindberg. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., and senior ceremonies will take place following game two.