Gatto, Maiese and Lalli Named Softball Players of the Week
MAAC Sports
MAAC Player of the Week
Lizzy Gatto, Canisius, Sr., OF, 5-1, Hollister, Calif./San Benito
Gatto went a combined 5-for-8 (.625 batting average) with two home runs, a double, five RBIs and two runs scored last week as the Golden Griffins took part in the first Duel in the Dome, hosted by Syracuse University on March 24. In the Griffs' 5-4, eight-inning loss to Colgate, the team's centerfielder went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and two RBIs and she followed that effort by going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and a run scored in the Blue and Gold's 6-5 loss to No. 24 Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. Gatto's five hits last week improved her batting average by 45 points and her two homers on Saturday are the first two homers of the season for any Canisius player. Her three RBIs in the loss to the Orange matches her career high as well.
MAAC Pitcher of the Week
Alyssa Maiese, Iona, R-Sr., RHP, 5-8, Sewell, N.J./Indiana Univ.
Maiese went 2-0 for the Gaels this week, allowing just six hits and two runs and striking out 14 in 14 innings of work for an ERA of 1.00. Against Temple, she went six innings, allowing four hits and one run with seven strikeouts in a 10-1 Iona victory. Against St. John's, Maiese went eight innings, striking out seven and allowed two hits in the Gaels' 3-1 extra innings win.
MAAC Rookie of the Week
Janine Lalli, Marist, Fr., P, 5-8, Eastchester, N.Y./Eastchester:
Lalli had an outstanding week of pitching in the circle for the Red Foxes in their three series this past week. Appearing once in each doubleheader, she earned decisions in each and every outing - two wins and a save. Her week began with a win at Yale in her seven-inning start, in which Lalli held the Bulldogs to just three hits and two runs. On Saturday at Holy Cross, she came in relief versus the Crusaders and earned the save with three innings of one-hit softball. Lalli capped her week with the start in Marist's home opener on Sunday versus St. John's. In the complete game victory, she held St. John's to just one run on six hits. For the week, Lalli pitched 17.0 innings with six strikeouts, while compiling two wins, a save and a 1.65 ERA.