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The Cardinals’ Dynasty: 5 Reasons St. John Fisher Softball Dominated The 2025 Empire 8 Season

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The St. John Fisher University Cardinals softball program cemented its status as an Empire 8 powerhouse during the highly successful 2025 season, delivering a performance that thrilled fans and secured another top seed in the conference tournament. The team’s dominant run, characterized by stellar pitching, clutch hitting, and exceptional leadership, culminated in a regular-season title and the right to host the critical Empire 8 Championship. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the 2025 squad, highlighting the key players, the coach, and the milestones that defined their championship-caliber year.

The Cardinals are consistently a benchmark program in NCAA Division III softball, and the 2025 campaign, which wrapped up with a phenomenal 29-15 overall record and an 18-4 mark in conference play, proved they are still the team to beat. Their success is a testament to a winning culture built on player development, strategic coaching, and a relentless commitment to excellence on and off the field.

St. John Fisher Softball 2025 Team Profile and Dynasty Overview

The 2025 St. John Fisher softball team, known as the Cardinals, maintained the program’s reputation for excellence within the highly competitive Empire 8 Athletic Conference. Their consistent performance earned them the right to host the conference tournament, a key advantage in their pursuit of an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

  • University: St. John Fisher University (Pittsford, NY)
  • Nickname: Cardinals
  • Affiliation: NCAA Division III
  • Conference: Empire 8 Athletic Conference
  • 2025 Overall Record: 29-15
  • 2025 Conference Record: 18-4
  • 2025 Regular Season Title: Empire 8 Champions (Hosted E8 Championship)
  • Head Coach: Bari Mance (Hired in 2013)
  • Assistant Coaches: Renee Smith, Shayla Mills, Sydney Bolton

The Coaching Pillar: Bari Mance’s Impact

Since taking the helm in 2013, Head Coach Bari Mance has transformed the St. John Fisher softball program into a perennial contender. Her tenure is marked by a steady stream of conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances. The 2025 season is another chapter in her impressive legacy, showcasing her ability to develop talent and maintain a top-tier team dynamic year after year.

Coach Mance and her staff, including Assistant Coaches Renee Smith, Shayla Mills, and Sydney Bolton, were instrumental in guiding the Cardinals through a challenging schedule, ensuring the team peaked at the right time for conference play.

Breakout Stars and All-Conference Honors: The 2025 Award Winners

The true measure of the Cardinals' dominance in 2025 was the sheer number of players who received individual recognition. The team garnered Three Major Awards and had Seven players named to the All-Empire 8 teams, underscoring the depth of talent across the roster.

The success was a mix of veteran leadership and impressive performances from younger players:

  • Amalia DeMartino (IF): A senior infielder, DeMartino was a standout, earning a spot on the prestigious All-Empire 8 First Team. Her two-run home run against Rochester in March 2025 was a highlight, demonstrating her ability to deliver clutch offense. She also earned the highly coveted College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team honors, balancing elite play with academic excellence.
  • Maddie Donlin (UTL): The utility player was recognized with Third-Team All-Empire 8 honors. Donlin was a consistent offensive threat, finishing the season batting a stellar .368 with 46 total hits, including a career-high 12 doubles. She also drove in 15 runs, solidifying her role as a key run producer.
  • Ainsley Evanetski (P): As a senior pitcher, Evanetski was one of the major award winners for the Cardinals, anchoring the pitching staff with her experience and skill.
  • Academic Excellence: Seniors Cassidy Ormond and Mari Spitz joined DeMartino on the CSC Academic All-District Team, showcasing the program's commitment to the NCAA Division III philosophy of student-athlete success.

Rising Stars: The Future of Fisher Softball is Bright

While the seniors provided the foundation, the 2025 roster also saw several underclassmen step up with career-defining moments, indicating a strong future for the Cardinals program. The development of this young talent is crucial for maintaining the dynasty in the Empire 8.

Two freshmen, in particular, made their mark during the 2025 campaign:

  • Maddy Schubach (IF): Schubach, an infielder, played in 11 games and made her presence felt with timely hitting. Her biggest moment came on April 13, 2025, when she hit her first collegiate home run in a victory over Keuka, driving in six runs for the season.
  • Catelin Couillard (2B): Couillard, a freshman second baseman, recorded her first career hit in a win against Elmira on April 12, 2025. These early successes highlight the pipeline of talent Coach Mance is cultivating.

The Road to the NCAA Tournament: A Three-Peat Quest

The Empire 8 conference is highly competitive, featuring strong rivals like Utica University and Nazareth University. However, St. John Fisher's 18-4 conference record secured the regular-season title, giving them home-field advantage for the 2025 Empire 8 Championship Tournament.

The Cardinals entered the tournament with the pressure of a potential "Three-Peat" on their shoulders, aiming to secure their third consecutive conference title. Winning the championship is the only way to guarantee the automatic berth into the prestigious 2025 NCAA Division III Softball Championship, where the team seeks to improve upon past national tournament runs. Their 29-15 final regular season record provides a powerful momentum boost heading into the postseason, making them the clear favorite to claim the title and continue their dynasty.

The Cardinals’ Dynasty: 5 Reasons St. John Fisher Softball Dominated the 2025 Empire 8 Season
st john fisher softball
st john fisher softball

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