MAAC Tournament Information

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University will host the 2008 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) softball tournament this weekend at DeLuca Field in Stratford. The Stags enter the tourney as the number three seed, and play second-seeded Niagara University at 1 pm on Thursday. Top-seeded Canisius College takes on fourth-seeded Marist College at 3 pm Thursday to complete the four-team field.

The Griffs come into this weekend's action as the conference's regular-season champion with a 13-1 MAAC mark and a 35-12 overall record. Katie Miranto represents the team's top hitter with a .409 batting average, and places second on the team with two homers and 35 RBI. Michelle Fridey has a team-best 37 RBI with a .331 batting average. Jenny Maheu is just under the .400 mark, sitting at .396 in 46 starts. The Griffs use three pitchers regularly, namely Mallory Aldred (7-4, 1.39 ERA), Juliette Bowers (18-1, 1.96 ERA), and Lindsay Morris (10-6, 2.33 ERA).

The second-seeded Purple Eagles own a 27-19 overall record with a 13-3 conference slate. Niagara also has a .400 hitter on the team in the person of Felicia Coffey. She brings a .404 batting average into the weekend, stroking 67 hits in 46 games with eight doubles and seven home runs. The squad also boasts two players with a double-digit home run total, as Jenna Baker (13 home runs) and Kristin Sito (10 home runs) are first and second in the MAAC in that category. Brooke Viola (10-3, 3.07 ERA) and Tiffany McCrory (10-8, 3.40 ERA) handle most of the pitching duties.

Fairfield University sports a 24-23-1 overall record and won nine of 16 MAAC games during 2008. Freshman Kristina Lingo has enjoyed a solid first season with the program, posting a .338 batting average with three home runs and a team-best 19 RBI. Julia Jacoby, who set the school record for total bases earlier in the season, places second with a .302 hitting percentage. The Stags use two freshmen pitchers in the regular rotation with Sarah Minice recording a team-best 13 wins with 127 strikeouts in 157 innings. She also owns a 2.85 ERA in her team-best 31 appearances. Kelli Panter (9-12, 3.74 ERA) has tossed 116 innings with 105 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA.

Marist College rounds out the field of four with a 22-28 overall record and an 8-8 conference mark. The Red Foxes are led by Melissa Giordano, who posted a .369 batting average with a team-high 12 doubles and four triples. Jessica Green is next in line with a .272 hitting percentage, stroking five home runs and a squad-best 27 RBI. The pitching staff includes senior Megan Rigos, winner of 16 of the team's 22 victories this year. Caitlin Carpenter (5-9, 3.06 ERA) and Heather Viola (1-4, 4.99 ERA) have also spent time in the pitching circle this season.

The double-elimination tournament begins on Thursday with two games, continues with three games on Friday, and ends with possibly two games on Saturday.

2008 MAAC Softball Tournament Schedule
DeLuca Field - Stratford, Conn.
May 8-10, 2008

Thursday, May 8
Game 1 - #3 Fairfield vs. #2 Niagara - 1 pm
Game 2 - #1 Canisius vs. #4 Marist - 3 pm

Friday, May 9
Game 3 - Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 11 am
Game 4 - Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 - 1 pm
Game 5 - Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 - 3 pm

Saturday, May 10
Game 6 - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 - Noon
Game 7 - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 - 2 pm (If Necessary)