Jaspers Take On Fairfield, Marist This Weekend

Riverdale, NY - Manhattan softball will travel to Fairfield for a MAAC doubleheader Saturday, April 6, before hosting Marist in another DH at Gaelic Park on Sunday. Both bouts will begin at noon. 

Game Notes:

Last Outing
A four-run Columbia rally in the top of the seventh inning proved the difference-maker on April 3, as Manhattan (11-16, 0-2 MAAC) fell to the Lions 6-3 in Gaelic Park. Shortstop Victoria Alonso (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) earned a team-high two RBI in the game, snagging both on a two-run homer, the first of her collegiate career, in the bottom of the fourth. She batted .333 on the day with a slugging percentage of 1.333. Teammate Adriana Gambino (Stamford, CT / Westhill) went 1-2 for the Jaspers with a double, two walks, and a run scored. 

Against the MAAC
Manhattan has played just two MAAC games so far this season, both resulting in losses to Quinnipiac. However, batting a team average of .291, the Jaspers rank second in the MAAC, in addition to leading the league in slugging percentage (.422) and on-base percentage (.397). The Jaspers have scored a MAAC-high 126 runs and earned a league-best 117 RBI. 

NCAA Rankings
Manhattan ranks 24th in Division I for doubles per game (1.70) and 41st in double plays turned per game (0.44). Lauren Pitney (Ansonia, CT / St. Joseph's) ranks fifth in the nation for on-base percentage (.585). She also earns 1.04 walks per game, good for third in DI.

About the Stags
Fairfield (14-11, 0-2) holds the MAAC's best batting average at .308. Reigning MAAC Player of the Year Courtney Hankins leads the conference with 1.05 RBI per game. 

Fairfield sits just behind Manhattan in the MAAC rankings for team slugging percentage (.400) and on-base percentage (.371). The Stags have tallied a league-best 224 hits, including 13 home runs. Their pitching stable holds a combined ERA of 3.87 (fourth in the MAAC).

About the Red Foxes
Marist (17-16, 3-1 MAAC) has enjoyed wins over Fairfield and Iona so far this conference season. The Red Foxes are led by freshman pitcher Calista Phippen, who currently ranks as the MAAC's best with a 1.19 ERA (12th in DI). Caroline Baratta leads the MAAC in hits so far this season with 42. As a team, Marist bats .247, with 108 RBI.