ITHACA, NY- The Utica College softball team fell to No. 2 seed St. John Fisher in the opening game of the Empire 8 softball tournament Friday morning.  Utica will now face the loser of the Ithaca-Alfred game in the elimination contest at 2 p.m.

Utica seemed to get off to a good start as senior Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) hit a leadoff triple in the top of the first.  Russell now moves into sole possession of first place on the College's career triples list.  Despite a runner in scoring position, UC was not able to get a run across. 

The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the first to score six runs on five hits to take a commanding lead.  Fisher added another run in the second inning before Utica was able to stop the bleeding. 

The Pioneers got on the board as Russell hit a long shot over the left field fence for her team-leading sixth home run of the year.  Russell now needs just one more home run to tie Courtney Fitzgerald (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) '15 for first on the all-time list.
 
Utica threatened in the sixth inning as the Pioneers loaded the bases with just one out.  Senior Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) singled through the right side to drive in one run, but Fisher's defense held on to get the final two outs.
 
Russell finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, while Siriano was 1-for-3. Senior Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) gave up five earned runs as she shouldered the loss, while sophomore Brittany Meka (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) totaled three strikeouts in just over five innings of work.