St. John Fisher Edges Western Connecticut
ITHACA, N.Y. – The fifth-seeded St. John Fisher Cardinals (29-12-1) pushed across an unearned run in the top of the seventh on their way to beating the fourth-seeded Western Connecticut Colonials (27-13) 1-0 Thursday in an NCAA Division III Softball regional game played at Ithaca College. The Cardinals advance to face top-seeded Messiah Friday at 2:30 p.m. The Colonials will meet eighth-seeded Muhlenberg Friday at 10 a.m. in an elimination game.
A sacrifice fly by Leanne Merchant scored the game’s only run. The Cardinals’ first three hitters reached in the inning. Catcher Jamie Harmon led off with St. John Fisher’s fourth hit of the day, singling to right center on an 0-2 pitch and right fielder Carissa Carlson walked on four pitches . Western Connecticut mishandled a bunt by first baseman Sarah Fordyce to load the bases for Merchant.
Sarah Stefanon (14-4) threw a complete-game two-hit shutout, fanning seven and not issuing a walk. She retired the final 10 batters.
Magen Dargon (19-8) was the hard-luck loser for Western Connecticut, striking out 10 while allowing only seven base runners. Center fielder Jackie Zilnicki was one of two Colonials to reach scoring position; she singles and stole second in the fourth.
