Iona Wins 2011 MAAC Softball Championship
MAAC Sports
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - Fourth-seeded Iona College earned the league's automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Division I Softball Championship with two consecutive wins over top-seeded Fairfield University in the title round of the 2011 MAAC Softball Championship at Softball Park at Gartland Field on the campus of Marist College.
In game six, Iona made its mark on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning as Eileen McCann knocked a three-run home run to left center, followed by a solo home run by Alyssa Maiese to deep center to give the Gaels the 4-0 win and force the championship to be decided in game seven. Sarah Jackson earned the win in game six. In seven innings of work, she gave up three hits, walked two and struck out 12 batters.
In game seven, Fairfield got one run in the bottom of the third inning when sophomore left fielder Tiffany Lawson stole third and then reached home after a throwing error to give the Stags a 1-0 lead. Then in the sixth inning, freshman second baseman Kristen Filicia tripled down the right field and then scored on a single by MAAC Rookie of the Year Lauren Liseth.
With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Iona rallied as pinch runner Tierney Markou scored on a fielder's choice and junior designated player Deanne Algeo hit a two-RBI single through the right side. Senior second baseman Tessa Earley then scored when Algeo was caught stealing, giving the Gaels the 4-2 win.
Jackson, the Most Outstanding Player, improved to 17-8 with the win of game seven. Fairfield's Sarah Minice finished the year at 18-10 on the mound.
The 2011 NCAA Selection Show will air live on Sunday, May 15 at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.
2011 All-Tournament Team
Manhattan:
Jaci Rahey
Nicole Michel
Marist:
Sarah Carmody
Emily Osterhaus
Fairfield:
Mikayla Shumate
Kristina Lingo
Lauren Liseth
Iona:
Elieen McCann
Deanne Algeo
Chelsea Sheehan
Alyssa Maiese
Most Outstanding Player: Sarah Jackson, Iona