Fisher splits with Alfred on Senior Day
By Jay Brinson
Last Updated:4:18 PM EST 4/21/09 Section: Sports
On what was supposed to be a day honoring the Fisher seniors, a freshman stepped up as the hero in game one of the team's doubleheader and last conference match up against Alfred University, April 19.
The Cardinals battled back and forth with Empire 8 rival Alfred. The Saxons appeared to have the game wrapped up in seventh inning as they rallied behind Jessica Figallo's lead off double to go up 6-4 on the Cardinals. Fisher answered with a rally of their own, which concluded with Carissa Carlson tapping a walk-off, bloop single in shallow right field to give the Cardinals a 7-6 victory.
"There was a little pressure but I was more confident than anything. I was glad that I was the one at bat with a chance to win the game," said Carlson, who finished the first contest 2-4 with a run and an RBI. "I really wanted to pull through for everyone, especially the seniors, and once I saw the ball land fair for a base hit I was so excited I didn't even want to run to first base. I just wanted to celebrate with the team."
Pitcher Amanda Shevchuk (10-5) opened the game hot, retiring nine out of the first 11 batters she faced. It was in the fourth inning when the senior ace fell apart, as the Saxons opened up the scoring with a leadoff home run by Jesika LeBarron and another solo shot by junior Karen Folts. Extra base hits by Brittany Loucks and Shannon Mather gave Alfred a 4-3 lead that forced head coach Len Maiorani to bring in freshman reliever, Chrissy Capalbo.
"I was hitting my spots out there, they simply just hit the ball on me," Shevchuk said. "They're just a good hitting team and they just out-hit us."
"She didn't have her stuff today, but she'll bounce back like she always does," Maiorani said.
Senior third baseman Kristi Bradley also added a solo shot to straight away center field in the bottom of the second inning for the opening score.
The second game of the afternoon didn't fare as well for the Cardinals. The Saxons responded to the game one heartbreaker with a 11-3 victory over Fisher.
The exclamation point came in the fifth inning, when the Saxons got a two-run home run from sophomore Madison Snyder, which warranted the mercy rule.
"We had the first game won but lost it because of mental mistakes, but we showed tremendous character coming back in the second game hitting the ball very well like we have been all season," Alfred head coach Gino Olivieri said.
The Senior Day split leaves Fisher at 22-8 overall and 9-3 in the Empire 8. The Cardinals are locked in second place in the conference, looking up to only Ithaca College.
"These girls never give up. It doesn't matter how far we're behind, these girls are capable of hitting the ball and having runners all over the place," Maiorani said. "With the last couple games coming up we just have to make sure we keep hitting and make adjustments during our at bats."
The Cardinals battled back and forth with Empire 8 rival Alfred. The Saxons appeared to have the game wrapped up in seventh inning as they rallied behind Jessica Figallo's lead off double to go up 6-4 on the Cardinals. Fisher answered with a rally of their own, which concluded with Carissa Carlson tapping a walk-off, bloop single in shallow right field to give the Cardinals a 7-6 victory.
"There was a little pressure but I was more confident than anything. I was glad that I was the one at bat with a chance to win the game," said Carlson, who finished the first contest 2-4 with a run and an RBI. "I really wanted to pull through for everyone, especially the seniors, and once I saw the ball land fair for a base hit I was so excited I didn't even want to run to first base. I just wanted to celebrate with the team."
Pitcher Amanda Shevchuk (10-5) opened the game hot, retiring nine out of the first 11 batters she faced. It was in the fourth inning when the senior ace fell apart, as the Saxons opened up the scoring with a leadoff home run by Jesika LeBarron and another solo shot by junior Karen Folts. Extra base hits by Brittany Loucks and Shannon Mather gave Alfred a 4-3 lead that forced head coach Len Maiorani to bring in freshman reliever, Chrissy Capalbo.
"I was hitting my spots out there, they simply just hit the ball on me," Shevchuk said. "They're just a good hitting team and they just out-hit us."
"She didn't have her stuff today, but she'll bounce back like she always does," Maiorani said.
Senior third baseman Kristi Bradley also added a solo shot to straight away center field in the bottom of the second inning for the opening score.
The second game of the afternoon didn't fare as well for the Cardinals. The Saxons responded to the game one heartbreaker with a 11-3 victory over Fisher.
The exclamation point came in the fifth inning, when the Saxons got a two-run home run from sophomore Madison Snyder, which warranted the mercy rule.
"We had the first game won but lost it because of mental mistakes, but we showed tremendous character coming back in the second game hitting the ball very well like we have been all season," Alfred head coach Gino Olivieri said.
The Senior Day split leaves Fisher at 22-8 overall and 9-3 in the Empire 8. The Cardinals are locked in second place in the conference, looking up to only Ithaca College.
"These girls never give up. It doesn't matter how far we're behind, these girls are capable of hitting the ball and having runners all over the place," Maiorani said. "With the last couple games coming up we just have to make sure we keep hitting and make adjustments during our at bats."
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