ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team won two Empire 8 games on Saturday as it had back-to-back, walk-off hit wins over St. John Fisher University at Harrington Field.
 
The Saxons (6-8-1, 3-1 Empire 8) won game one, 5-4 with a walk-off single from Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) and won game two with a walk-off double from Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills), winning 4-3 over the Cardinals (12-10, 1-3 Empire 8) in the bottom of the eighth inning. "Opening conference weekend with a 3-1 record and a sweep of Fisher is a great start to conference play," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "Our girls played with tons of heart, toughness and grit today. Two walk-off wins, great pitching and timely hitting makes for a great day. I'm very proud of all the girls!"
 
Game One
Alfred University – 5  |  St. John Fisher University – 4
 
Fisher got on the board first with a two-RBI double in the top of the fourth inning. Back-to-back Saxon doubles tied it up in the bottom as Neto drove home Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) and Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) sent Neto home to tie it up.
 
The Cardinals pulled ahead in the top of the seventh inning with a two-run home run. AU responded as Remm reached first on an error by the short stop that allowed Gillian Flint (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) to cross home, bringing AU back within one of the 4-3 Fisher lead. Neto singled up the middle that sent Isabella Carrillo (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham Community Charter) home, tying the game, 4-4 and Lugo across the plate for the game-winning, 5-4 run.
 
Neto ended the game with a 3-for-4 performance in the batters' box, totaling three RBI and scoring one run herself. AU held the distinct advantage in hits, 10-5 as Hatch picked up the win in the circle, striking out a game-high two batters.
 
Game Two (Eight Innings)
Alfred University – 4  |  St. John Fisher University – 3
 
Just like in the opening game, Fisher was the first on the scoreboard when they singled up the middle to bring home an unearned run in the top of the fourth. AU tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Carrillo drilled a grounder to the short stop, who tossed it to second for the forced out that allowed Ty Thomas (Bolingbrook, IL/Bolingbrook) to score on the play. Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) singled to second base in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead, 3-1, after sending Flint and Darby McEnery (Corona, CA/Norco) home.
 
Also just like game one, Fisher tied the game in the top of the seventh inning with a ground out and a single up the middle. The game needed an extra inning after a double-play by the Cardinals' defense that prevented the seventh inning walk-off.
 
The top of the eighth inning was quick as the first batter popped up to second base, Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley), second batter flew out to Wells in right field and the third was struck out by Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area). In the bottom of the set, the Saxons faced an early, two-out situation after two ground outs to third base. AU managed to keep their heads up as Carrillo singled down the left field line and Wells reached first on a fielder's choice while Carrillo was safe at second due to an error by the second baseman. The setup was capitalized on by Lugo's double to right center field that brought Carrillo home for the unearned, walk-off and double-header sweeping run.

Once again, the Saxons held the distinct advantage with the bat, leading with a 12-6 hit record as Bennett struck out four batters for the win.
 
The Saxons will next take a four-game break from Empire 8 action as they start the series with a double-header at Rochester Institute of Technology on Tuesday, April 11 at 3:00pm and 5:00pm. They will then host Ithaca College on Wednesday, April 12 at 3:00pm and 5:00pm.