Keilani Finley Signs With Quinnipiac

Keilani Finley of Alameda, CA has signed a national letter of intent to play softball at Quinnipiac University beginning in the 2014 season.

Keilani is an athletic power hitter who was a career high .400s hitter at Encinal High School in Alameda, where she was a BSAL and All-East Bay honoree during her career. She can hit for average, and power, and averaged well over an RBI per game. Defensively, she's quite versatile, adept at catcher, first base or shortstop. She plays travel ball with Synergy out of Castro Valley.

Congratulations Keilani!

NFCA All-Region Selections

Lauren Liseth, Fairfield Stags

Lauren was named to the NFCA's Northeast Region second team. The MAAC Player Of The year hit .389 with seven home runs and .36 RBIs. She had an on base percentage of .565; a slugging percentage of .754; and she stole 14 bases.

Jordan Paolucci, Quinnipiac Bobcats

Jordan was named to the NFCA's Northeast Region second team. She hit .322 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs. She had a slugging percentage of .611.

Thanks For Reading!

...and another MAAC softball season comes to an end. It was an interesting one, filled with ups and downs. And a brand new champion. I get to repeat what I wrote one year ago. That is you broke all readership records again! And, as I wrote one year ago, Niagara will be looking for a new coach. That won't be the only change for next season. The map above will expand to include Monmouth and Quinnipiac! This will officially occur on July 1, but from this point onward these two teams will be included on this blog as full members. Next season the MAAC schedule will include 20 conference games, and, as of this writing, still only four teams will qualify for the  tournament. Which should make conference play even more intense than it was this past season.

Although the posting here will decrease, I will still keep the blog updated with any news concerning the MAAC. This summer I will run stories on the incoming freshmen; it looks like a real good class of players coming aboard.

Finally, a big thanks to all the players, for whom this blog is written!

Departing Seniors:

Canisius

Amanda Baun

Chloe Contreras

Katie Medina

Stephanie Pfentner

Fairfield

Macy Cutshaw

Tiffany Lawson

Emily Orr

Iona

Cari Anderson

Beth Kann

Jodi Petersen

Manhattan

Amanda Babcock

Anna Gallacher

Jen Keller

Heather Leone

Meghan McDevitt

Kelsi Redding

Jocelin Whitmore

Marist

Sarah Carmody

Danielle Koltz

Christina Lausch

Emily Osterhaus

Joelle Zahka

Niagara

Gabrielle Lustrinelli

Alexis Wayne

Becky Zill

Rider

Heather Muscara

Alyssa Paul

Sam Pugh

Saint Peter's

Shelby Beaver

Alexis Gallagher

Sierra Parker

Siena

Amanda Ferro

Shannon Jones

Marist Loss Ends 2013 MAAC Season

Dani Koltz was 2 for 4 in her finale

Fordham 5

Marist 3

Box

The Marist Red Foxes were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament when they lost to the Fordham Rams Saturday in Norman, OK.

It was a different Marist team that took the field in Norman. Oklahoma Saturday, as they battled the Atlantic 10 champion Fordham Rams in a close game. The Red Foxes fell behind early, 2-0, but rallied in the fourth inning to tie the score at 2-2. Marist loaded the bases with their first three hitters in that inning, with hits coming from Nicole Cheek, Alyssa Zahaka and Aly Klemmer. They got on the board when Kyrsten Van Natta beat out an infield grounder. The Red Foxes' fifth consecutive hit, by Janine Lalli, tied the game, but the Rams got out of the jam with two force plays at the plate. Two errors in the bottom of the fifth inning gave Fordham a 4-2 lead; they would add another run in the bottom of the sixth inning to go up by three runs. Marist narrowed the margin to 5-3 in the top of the seventh inning thanks to Aly Klemmer's ground out RBI, but could get no closer and saw their season end. The loss also ended the 2013 MAAC season. Emily Osterhaus pitched well in the loss, surrendering three earned runs. The Red Foxes had 10 hits in the game.

Dani Koltz, Emily Osterhaus, Christina Lausch, Sarah Carmody and Joelle Zahka all ended their college careers. Marist finished their second championship season with a record of 30-26.

I'll have a review of this past MAAC season in the coming days.

Red Foxes Fall To #1 Oklahoma

#1 Oklahoma 17

Marist 0 (5)

The Marist Red Foxes lost their opening game at the Norman, OK Regional to the number one team in the country Friday night.

Not much to say about this one from the Marist point of view. The Red Foxes were overwhelmed right from the beginning, as the Sooners put up eight runs in the first inning and never looked back. Oklahoma learned a hard lesson four years ago when they were upset on their home field by North Dakota State, and did not stop pressing in this tournament game. They finished with 13 hits; Lauren Chamberlin led the way with five RBIs. Kyrsten Van Natta had the Red Foxes' only hit of the game.

Marist will have a good shot at winning their first ever NCAA Tournament game when they face the Fordham Rams Saturday at 4:30 pm EDT in Norman. Oklahoma. The loser of that game will be eliminated from the tournament.

Norman, OK Regional Press Conference

Norman, OK Regional

Oklahoma Sooners

Conference: Big 12

Record: 44-4

Leading Hitter: Lauren Chamberlin (.423)

Leading Pitcher: Keilani Ricketts (25-1; 1.13 ERA)

Arkansas Razorbacks

Conference: SEC

Record: 34-18

Leading Hitter: Devon Wallace (.377)

Leading Pitcher: Hope McLemore (6-2; 1.92 ERA)

Fordham Rams

Conference: Atlantic 10

Record: 35-21

Leading Hitter: Jamie LaBovick (.411)

Leading Pitcher: Jamie LaBovick (13-9; 2.62 ERA)

Marist Red Foxes 

Conference: MAAC

Record: 30-24

Leading Hitter: Alyssa Zahka (.370)

Leading Pitcher: Emily Osterhaus (14-9; 2.29 ERA)

Red Foxes To Play At Norman Regional

The NCAA selection committee has placed MAAC Champion Marist in the Norman, OK Regional. The Red Foxes will play #1 Oklahoma (47-4) on Friday night at 8:30 pm EDT. Also in the field will be #21 Arkansas (34-18), and Fordham (35-12). It will be a double elimination format. More on this Regional later this week.

There's A New Champion In Town!

Number One!

MARIST 4

FAIRFIELD 1

Box Score

The Marist Red Foxes won the MAAC Championship with a 4-1 win over the Fairfield Stags Saturday in Poughkeepsie, NY.

The Red Foxes ended the reign of the Iona Gaels with a convincing tournament sweep this weekend. They never trailed in the Championship game, but did get into some hot water in the top of the first inning when Fairfield loaded the bases without the benefit of a hit. But with no outs, left fielder Christina Lausch set the tone for the day when, after catching a fly ball in deep left field for an out, she completed the double play by gunning down the speedy Kristen Filicia at home plate. It was a huge play, and allowed Marist to get out of the inning with the game still scoreless. It remained so until the bottom of the third inning when freshman Nicole Cheek took a Rae Ball pitch and sent it sailing over the center field fence for a 3-0 Red Foxes' lead. The home run, which tied Nicole for the school single season record (her 15th such hit), scored, besides herself, Taylor Kuzma, pinch running for Sarah Carmody who had singled, and Maureen Duddy, who also had singled.

Marist starter Emily Osterhaus did not allow a Fairfield hit until the top of the fifth inning when the Stags would get three. Fairfield narrowed the Marist lead to 3-1 when Kristen Filicia singled home Bri Levick. Then a two out infield single by Sammy Ruffolo put two runners on for the Stags, and brought Lauren Liseth to the plate with a chance to tie the game, or give Fairfield the lead. But Emily Osterhaus induced a ground out from the MAAC's Player Of The Year, and the threat was extinguished. Marist got that run back in the bottom of the same inning when Dani Koltz sent a towering blast over the center field fence. Emily Osterhaus, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, retired the next six Stags she faced and set off a wild celebration - the Red Foxes were again MAAC Champs after a seven year wait!

Emily Osterhaus outpitched the MAAC Pitcher Of The Year, and the conference's statistical leader this weekend, beating them both. She was brilliant in her control, at one point pitching 17 consecutive shutout innings. She allowed only two runs in her three complete game wins. She was 4-0 against the preseason favorite Stags this season.

For Fairfield, it was another hard luck loss for their talented Class of '14. The Stags have now lost five consecutive Championship games in a three year period. Yet, they will return virtually the same team, with some newcomers, next season to make another challenge. Tiffany Lawson, Macy Cutshaw and Emily Orr wore the Fairfield uniform for the final time.

The Red Foxes will celebrate tonight, and then settle in somewhere on the Marist campus Sunday night to see where they will be playing next week in the NCAA National Tournament, and against whom. At the moment, I'm guessing they don't really care!

Thanks to Paige Lewis' dad for the photo!

MARIST RED FOXES WIN MAAC TITLE

Joe Ausanio leads Marist to first championship since 2006

Just in...


The Marist Red Foxes have defeated the Fairfield Stags 4-1 to claim the championship of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. It's the Red Foxes' second title. They will now move to the National tournament next week.
More on the game later.

Will Third Time Be A Charm For Fairfield?

Another big MAAC home run for Kristen Filicia

FAIRFIELD 3

NIAGARA 1

Box

The Fairfield Stags advanced to the MAAC championship game when they beat the Niagara Purple Eagles Friday in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Will third time be a charm for the Fairfield Stags? This time the Stags will attempt to win the championship of the MAAC coming out of the losers' bracket; they will need to beat Marist twice. Maybe this will take some pressure off them. In their game vs. Niagara, they jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Kristen Filicia stole home, utilizing one of the strengths of the team---running wild. It was Kristen who also provided the winning margin when she clubbed a two run homer over the center field fence in the fourth. Not known as a power hitter, Kristen seems to only hit them out in big tournament games, as she did in walk off style against Canisius last season. Becca Trott started this game for Fairfield, and gave a strong performance, allowing only Ambur Farmer's RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning. She struck out eight in the game. Kim Bryson took the loss for Niagara, who ended their season after a remarkable climb back into contention. Kristen Filicia was 2 for 2 in the game; Sammy Ruffolo 3 for 4. Alexis Wayne, Becky Zill and Gabby Lustrinelli ended their college careers.

So now the Stags will again attempt to exorcise their MAAC demons. The last two final tournament days were nightmares for them; and they haven't won it all since 1991. They are clearly the underdog; Marist having beaten them three times this season, including once in this tournament. Maybe this will help them not to press so much.

Fairfield Stays Alive With Win Over Siena

Rae Ball shut down the powerful Saints

FAIRFIELD 3

SIENA 0

Box 

Just in...

Fairfield stays alive and Siena is eliminated as the Stags take a 3-0 win at the MAAC Tournament today in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Rae Ball was masterful in a complete game shutout of Siena, giving up only four hits, and allowing no walks. The Saints had just a few chances to score, but could not capitalize.
For Fairfield, they opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Kimi Kurata's suicide squeeze bunt scored Lauren Filicia. In the bottom of the third, Bri Levick skied a pitch that cleared the right field fence just inside the foul pole, giving the Stags a 2-0 lead. Lauren Filicia drove home Lauren Liseth, who had doubled, in the sixth for the final score of 3-0. Lauren Filicia was 2 for 2 in the game. Jessika-Jo Sandrini pitched well for the Saints, but took the loss. Mandy Ferro ended her college career at Siena with a two hit performance. The great Shannon Jones also ended her storied career today.

Fairfield plays Niagara next, with the winner going to the Championship round vs. Marist.

Red Foxes Advance To Championship Round With Win Over Niagara

Janine Lalli's home run was the difference

MARIST 2

NIAGARA 0

Box

Just in...

 The Marist Red Foxes have earned their way into the Championship round of the MAAC Tournament with a 2-0 win over the Niagara Purple Eagles today in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Senior pitcher Emily Osterhaus has been masterful in this tournament; she now has a streak of 13 consecutive shutout innings under her belt. Emily tossed a two hitter in beating Niagara; she didn't allow the Purple Eagles any realistic scoring chances. She struck out four, while walking only one. Marist scored all the runs they would need when, in the top of the fourth inning, Janine Lalli lined a pitch that just cleared the left field fence, and scored Aly Klemmer who had doubled. Jen Sansano pitched well enough for Niagara to win, striking out eight, and allowing only four hits, but took the loss.

Marist now is in the driver's seat, awaiting their opponent for Saturday's Championship game. Niagara will play in the elimination game later today.

Niagara Advances To Winners' Game With Win Over Siena

4 RBIs for Alexis Wayne

NIAGARA 6

SIENA 3

Just in...

Niagara has advanced to the winners' bracket game with a 6-3 win over Siena in the completion of a game that had been suspended yesterday due to darkness.

When play resumed this morning, Siena tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a double by Shannon Jones, and an RBI single by Jessika-Jo Sandrini. But a pair of walks and an error doomed the Saints in the top of the seventh. The winning run was scored after a bases loaded walk; this was followed by Alexis Wayne's two RBI single. Jen Sansano picked up the win; Jessika-Jo Sandrini took the loss.

Niagara will next play Marist; Siena will face Fairfield after that game.

Niagara-Siena Game Suspended

Because of the long rain delay, the second game of the day, between Niagara and Siena, had to be suspended due to darkness.
Niagara leads 3-2, and will be batting in the top of the sixth inning when play resumes at 10 am Friday morning. Becky Zill and Alexis Wayne have driven home runs for Niagara. Shannon Jones and Alyssa Lancaster have RBIs for Siena.
The winner of this game will face Marist; the loser will face Fairfield.

Emily Osterhaus Beats Fairfield...Again

Emily is 3 for 3 vs. the Stags this season

MARIST 3

FAIRFIELD 1

Box

After a prolonged rain delay, Marist opened the MAAC Championship in Poughkeepsie, NY with a 3-1 win over Fairfield.

Sometimes a pitcher just has another teams' number as they say, and for some reason, Emily Osterhaus has a hex on the Fairfield Stags (maybe because she's a good pitcher?!). For the third time this season, Emily shut down the potent Fairfield attack, holding the Stags to four hits. The only run she allowed was MAAC Player Of The Year Lauren Liseth's first inning home run.

It was Marist who opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Maureen Duddy, who had walked and stolen second base, was driven home by Alyssa Zahka's single. Lauren Liseth then hit the aforementioned homer in the bottom of the same inning to tie the game before the rains came. A drenching downpour shut the tournament down for three hours and 40 minutes. The Marist ground crew did an heroic job transforming the outfield lake back into a ball field; they should all get raises!
When the game finally resumed, Marist took a 2-1 lead when Christina Lausch launched a Rae Ball pitch over the left field fence in the top of the second inning. In the top of the third, Alyssa Zahka again drove home Maureen Duddy to give the Red Foxes a 3-1 lead. From that point on, it was all Emily Osterhaus; she would not allow a Stag past second base, and struck out seven for the game.

Alyssa Zahka and Maureen Duddy  each had two hits for Marist, who advance to the winners' bracket game. Rae Ball struck out seven for Fairfield, who will play in the losers' bracket game.

Rain Delay

Only an inning was played today in Poughkeepsie before the rains came. Marist and Fairfield are going to attempt to resume their game today.

Mandy Ferro Excelling For Siena Softball

A nice article by our old friend Andrew Champagne who used to work at Siena College, and did a great job covering the softball team. He focuses on senior Mandy Ferro, a local player who is helping the Saints reach new heights:

Ferro is one of just two seniors on this year’s team, but is one of several Saints with Section II connections. Senior Shannon Jones (Troy) and sophomores Antonia Edwards (Bethlehem) and Megan Volz (Lansingburgh) all came from nearby high schools.

“They have proven that you can be a Section II softball player and play Division I softball,” Lajeunesse said. “Not just play, but excel at Division I softball, because these kids have had outstanding seasons.”

Read the article HERE