Softball Returns to Gaelic for Two MAAC Doubleheaders

Riverdale, NY - After nine games and nearly two weeks on the road, Manhattan softball returns to Gaelic Park on Saturday, April 21 for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader against Niagara (10-25, 2-4 MAAC). The Jaspers (15-21, 0-8 MAAC) will follow it up with two Sunday games against Canisius (5-26, 1-3), also at home. 

Though still looking for their first conference win of the season, Manhattan sits at second in the league in combined ERA (3.50), as well as second in combined fielding percentage (.961). The Jaspers are fifth for combined team batting average at .244. 

Second baseman Lauren Pitney (Ansonia, CT / St. Joseph's) tops the league in on-base percentage (.534), good for top 20 in all of NCAA DI softball. She is the MAAC leader in home runs, as well, totaling eight so far this season. Her .710 slugging percentage is good for second in the league, as is her 29 runs scored. Pitney leads the conference in walks with 36, which equates to one per game, third-highest in the NCAA.

She proves just as strong in the field. The junior is first in the MAAC in fielding double plays (15) and combines with first baseman Christine Gebhardt (Milddletown, NJ / Middletown North) for 37 so far this season. Pitney ties for third in the conference in assists at 76. 

Senior Briana Matazinsky (Valley Falls, NY / Tamarac) currently holds the seventh-highest batting average in the MAAC at .354 and the sixth-lowest ERA at 2.84. She has made 16 starts this season, tied for the fourth-most in the league. 

At 2-4, Niagara sits in the bottom half of the league standings. The Purple Eagles' combined batting average of .235 puts them at ninth in the league, while they are 10th in combined ERA (5.21). Junior Jerri Ann Orfano is second in the MAAC in RBIs with 27. 

On the mound, Niagara's Sierra Bertrand has compiled 16 starts, tied with Matazinsky for fourth in the MAAC. Niagara's Emily Johnston has pitched the second-most games in relief in the conference at 13. 

Canisius (1-3) sits just below Niagara in the league standings at ninth place. Freshman Kara Paradowski has stolen more bases than any MAAC player this season, going 18-19 in steal attempts. She is also the Golden Griffins' best hitter, with a batting average of .293. Canisius is last in the league in combined batting average, totaling just .214. They also have the fourth-highest combined ERA at 4.65. 

Manhattan will take on Niagara starting at noon on Saturday, with game two to follow. The Canisius doubleheader will start at 11 a.m. on Sunday.