AUBURN, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University Baseball team were at Falcon Park on Sunday to compete in their season opener. The Cardinals overcame an early 6-0 deficit to defeat the Golden Knights 12-6 in order to begin the year 1-0.
Fisher struggled coming out of the gate, falling behind 6-0 after three innings of play, but it all started to turn in the fourth inning. Connor McHugh was able to work a 1-2-3 top of the inning and the bats woke up in the bottom of the inning. Tanner Hodgson kicked it off with a walk, before Ben Lavery doubled down the left field line to put two runners in scoring position. James Murphy grounded out to short, but it was enough to drive in the team's first run of the year. Luke Duffy came up to bat with two outs, worked a walk, and then Nick Lemire singled to right and drove in a run to cut the deficit to four runs. The inning was not over however, Jake Meeker doubled to bring in two more runs and as the fourth inning ended, Fisher trailed just 6-4.
The defense turned a doubled play in the top of the fifth to bring the bats back up with a chance to take control and that they did. Noah Campanelli singled and made it to third base after a stolen base and passed ball. Hodgson gladly took the RBI with a single. The Golden Knights gave up their lead with a throwing error, which led to Hodgson scoring the game-tying run. With Lavery now on third after a fly ball helped him tag up, Brian Norsen singled and moved Fisher in front 7-6.
McHugh wasted little time working a 1-2-3 sixth inning, and the Cardinals extended their lead as they came to bat. After a Meeker walk, Jack Migliore hit a home run to left field and a few batters later. Murphy joined the party with a three-run moon shot to drive in the final runs of the game.
Lavery finished the day 3-for-4 and three runs scored. Campanelli, Norsen and Migliore all tallied two hits, with Meeker and Migliore recorded two RBI. McHugh earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings of three hit, scoreless ball and collecting two strikeouts.
The Cardinals will be on the road for their matchup, heading to William Paterson University for two game series, starting on Friday, Feb. 24. The game is slated for a 2:45pm first-pitch.
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