Buffalo, NY - Manhattan softball will begin its Western New York swing at Canisius, playing in a MAAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 27, starting at noon. The following day, the Jaspers will face Niagara in another two-game MAAC match-up, beginning at 11:00 am.
Game Notes:
Last Outing
Lauren Pitney (Ansonia, CT / St. Joseph's) drilled a three-run home in the top of the third inning to help Manhattan (19-23, 6-8 MAAC) to a come-from-behind 3-2 win in game one at Sacred Heart Tuesday, April 23. It was Pitney's 10th homer of the season and the 29th of her career, tying her for third on the program's all-time list.
In game two, the Jaspers broke out to a 7-0 lead by the top of the second, benefiting from four RBI from
Daniela Chiorazzi (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland). Manhattan won 7-1 in five innings (darkness).
MAAC Standings
At 6-8 in the league, Manhattan sits in the seventh position in the MAAC standings. The Jaspers have won five of their last six conference games, including sweeps of Rider and Saint Peter's and a split with Iona, currently in second place at 9-3. The top six teams will qualify for the MAAC tournament.
Top Performers
Pitney leads Manhattan in seven of the major offensive categories, including batting average (.419), RBI (34) and home runs (10). With 1.17 walks per game, she leads all of Division I, while coming in at third in on-base percentage (.615). She's compiled a slugging percentage of .781, good for 43rd in the nation.
Pitchers
Kayla McDermott (Garnerville, NY / North Rockland) and
Jessie Rising (Little Egg Harbor, NJ / Pinelands) have combined for 43 innings pitched over the past eight Manhattan games, letting up just 17 total hits between them. During that streak, McDermott has compiled an ERA of 0.32, going 4-0, while Rising's ERA of 1.33 has led to three wins. McDermott has held opponents to a .127 batting average, while Rising's foes have hit just .166.
Milestones
Pitney is just two walks away from tying the program's single-season record (51), set by Pitney in 2018. Her next home run will tie her for fifth on that single-season list, as well as second all-time. Pitney is also three RBI away from tying for fourth on that all-time list.
Previous Meetings
The Jaspers fell to Canisius in two games at Gaelic Park last year, but swept Niagara at home. Former Jasper
Briana Matazinsky threw her first career no-hitter in that Niagara double header, helping Manhattan to a 5-0 win over the Purple Eagles.
About the Golden Griffins
Canisius (10-27, 4-8 MAAC) holds ninth place in the league standings. Hannah Catallo-Stooks has batted in the most runs for the Golden Griffs, now at 23 for the year. Emily Nicosia has pitched 87.2 innings for Canisius, compiling a 3.75 ERA.
About the Purple Eagles
Niagara (7-26, 5-7 MAAC) sits just above Canisius in eighth place in the conference. Maggie Vesneske leads the Purple Eagles with a batting average of .265 and a .351 on-base percentage. Pitcher Sierra Bertrand has earned the team's best ERA at 3.95 over 78.0 innings, holding opposing batters to a .295 batting average.
