Manhattan Claims MAAC Softball Championship
No. 2 Canisius – 3 vs. No. 6 Manhattan – 6
2021 MAAC Softball Championship – Championship Round Game 6
Demske Sports Complex | Buffalo, NY
Manhattan College (22-14, 17-13 MAAC) claimed their first MAAC Softball Championship since 1999 as they defeated Canisius College (25-13, 20-12 MAAC) 6-3 in Game 6 of the MAAC Softball Championship. The Jaspers and Griffs traded runs in the third but Manhattan’s offense was just heating up as they tallied at least one run in the final four innings. Canisius rallied in the bottom of the sixth finding themselves down 4-1 and as they Kara Paradowski hit a two-RBI double to make it a one-run game headed into the final inning. Manhattan’s Marika Deemer would add two insurance runs in the seventh as she hit a two-run home run. Nicole Williams would then retire the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to clinch Manhattan’s MAAC Title. Manhattan will advance to the 2021 Women’s College World Series, the NCAA selection show will take place tomorrow, May 16 at 9 p.m. and will take place on ESPN2.
After Game 6 of the MAAC Softball Championship, Manhattan’s pitcher Nicole Williams was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Williams was perfect 5-0 in the MAAC Softball Championship going 2-0 in the quarterfinals and 3-0 in the championship round. She pitched 35.1 innings over the course of the tournament, striking out 42 batters and only giving up nine earned runs. Joining Williams on the All-Championship team from Manhattan was Annie Moore, Marika Deemer, Victoria Alonso, and Emma Kindblom. Representatives from Canisius on the All-Championship Team were Hannah Catallo-Stooks, Emily Nicosia, and Sue Vi. Also named to the All-Championship Team from Marist was Caroline Baratta and Kaley Coltrain and from Fairfield was Kaitlin Hoffman and Lacey Olaff.
Manhattan Notes
- This was Manhattan’s first championship game appearance since 2014 and fourth overall. It is the program’s second MAAC Softball Championship and first since 1999.
- Seven players for the Jaspers recorded hits and they were led by Victoria Alonso with two.
- Annie Moore and Marika Deemer each hit a home run, a solo shot and two-run homer respectively.
- Lauren Rende, Alonso, and Emma Kindblom all recorded an RBI.
- Christine Gebhardt had a game-high six putouts.
- Moore, Lily Fish, Deemer, Mazzotta, Alonso, and Jessie Rising all recorded a run.
- On the mound, Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Williams, pitched a complete game, scattering eight hits, allowing three runs, while striking out three and walking three. She threw 128 pitches and finishes the season with a 2.02 ERA.
Canisius Notes
- Five Griffs tallied the team’s eight hits, with Erin Hufford, Kara Paradowksi, and Sue Vie each tallying two.
- Paradowski (2) and Gianna Fazzolari (1) each recorded an RBI.
- Morgan Altman and Lindsi Dennis each had a team-high four putouts.
- Emily Nicosia got the start for the Griffs and pitched four innings scattering four hits, giving up two runs, struck out one, and walked one. Alexis Churchill appeared in relief and pitched the final three innings conceding four runs (three earned), and walked three.
- This marked Canisius’ first time in the championship game since 2010.
For more information on the 2021 MAAC Softball Championship, visit MAACSports.com/Softball.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) celebrates its 40
th year of competition during the 2020-21 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.