Softball | 5/6/2011 11:27:55 AM

Click here for game stats

ITHACA, NY - The RIT softball team (21-11) fell behind early and could not rally, falling to St. John Fisher (26-11-1), 6-3 in game one of the double-elimination Empire 8 Tournament held at Kostrinsky Field on Friday morning.  The Tigers will play the losing team from the Stevens vs. Ithaca contest at 2 p.m.

The Cardinals jumped on RIT starter Brittany Kemp (Dansville, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) right away, with three hits, while drawing two walks to take a 2-0 lead.

RIT cut the Fisher lead in half in the bottom of the second inning, as Brittany Griffin (Sterling, VA/Park View ) hit her second home run of the season down the right field line.  That homer was RIT's 17th of 2011, tying the program record for most in a season, set two years ago.

Fisher scored twice in the third inning, as Sarah Fordyce ripped a double to the gap in right centerfield, scoring two runs to make the score 4-1.

RIT mounted a strong two-out rally in the fifth, as Megan O'Connell, and Allee Emmi (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) singled to put runners on first and second.  Emily Courtney (Berlin, CT/Kingswood-Oxford) followed with a single to right field that scored O'Connell, with Emmi advancing to third, and Courtney moving to second on the throw home.  Shannon McCormick (Auburn, NY/Auburn) came up with a chance to tie the game, but popped up to the shortstop in foul territory to end the inning.

The Cardinals would respond once again though, with two runs in the seventh to knock out Kemp and add the needed insurance runs.

RIT scored a run on an error and had the tying run come to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Tori Nadow (Charlton, MA/Shepherd Hill) grounded out to end the rally.

Kemp, who was brilliant over her last five starts, took the loss for RIT, falling to 9-7 on the season.  She allowed nine hits, five earned runs, and five walks, while striking out just four batters in 6 1/3 innings of work. 

Sarah Stefanon earned the win for St. John Fisher, allowing five hits and two runs with four strikeouts in five innings.  Danielle Leone came on to pitch the final two innings for the save.

Fordyce was 3-for-3 for the Cardinals with a pair of doubles and three runs batted in, while Jamie Harmon was 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored.

Griffin finished 2-for-3 with the home run.  Nadow was 2-for-3 with a double, while Emmi also recorded a pair of hits.