Posted: May 13, 2018
Courtesy of Geneseo Sports Information Department
PITTSFORD, N.Y. - SUNY Geneseo junior outfielder Danni Napoli had a hit in each game, but the Knights dropped a pair of contests to St. John Fisher, 8-4 and 7-1, as the Cardinals advanced to the NCAA Division III Softball Super Regionals.
GAME ONE
- Geneseo was held to just two hits as the Cardinals took a 7-0 lead over the first six innings.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Geneseo loaded the bases as sophomore infielders Abbey Whitney and Maddison Tucker each drew walks and junior outfielder Alyssa Persich legged out an infield single. Napoli came to the plate and ripped a grand slam down the left-field line to bring the Knights back within three runs, 7-4.
- In the top of the seventh, St. John Fisher increased their lead with a solo home run, and retired the Knights in order in the seventh to force a second game for the regional crown.
GAME TWO
- St. John Fisher built up a 7-0 lead in the first five innings, and did not allow the Knights a runner past second base until the seventh inning.
- In the seventh inning, junior infielder Anna Merante led off with a double to right-center and senior outfielder Claire VanNewkirkfollowed with a single through the right side to put runners on the corners with no outs.
- Merante came home to score on a wild pitch, but that was all the Knights could muster as St. John Fisher closed out the game.
QUICK FACTS
- Geneseo finished the season with a record of 32-9, marking the most wins since 2002, and made the program's second trip to the NCAA Tournament, advancing further than any team in program history.
- Persich, VanNewkirk and Merante were each named to the All-Regional Team.
- Napoli lifted her 16th career home run, and is now tied for second in program history, just two home runs behind the program's all-time leader (Samantha Trapasso '14, 18).
- The Knights graduate seniors Tori Fahie and Claire VanNewkirk. In their four years, Geneseo has gone 106-53, including this year's SUNYAC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth.