POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (May 7, 2026) - Day two of the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship concluded Thursday evening in Poughkeepsie, New York, with four games played following Wednesday’s weather delay that suspended opening-round action.
No. 3 Iona – 3 | No. 6 Siena – 1
Gartland Athletic Field | Poughkeepsie | 9:00 AM | Box Score
No. 3 Iona University opened the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship with a 3-1 victory over No. 6 Siena University in a weather-delayed first-round matchup at Gartland Field in Poughkeepsie, New York.
After rain suspended play during the top of the sixth inning on Wednesday night, the Gaels returned Thursday morning and closed out the win to advance in the championship bracket. Siena struck first in the second inning after Gianna DiMeglio crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to give the Saints an early 1-0 advantage.
Iona responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning when senior Hailey Guerrero launched the first home run of the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship to tie the game at 1-1. The Gaels continued to apply pressure offensively as rookie Rachael Morales delivered a sacrifice fly later in the inning to give Iona a 2-1 lead.
The Gaels added an insurance run in the fourth inning after Brooke Acker reached base and eventually came around to score on an RBI single from Morales, extending the advantage to 3-1. Acker led Iona offensively with two hits, while Morales finished with two RBIs in the victory.
Following the overnight delay, rookie pitcher Melissa Gordon returned to the circle Thursday morning and shut the door on Siena’s comeback attempt. Gordon allowed just four hits and worked out of multiple jams, including a key sequence in the sixth inning that featured two strikeouts and a diving defensive stop from Guerrero at second base.
The win marked Iona’s opening victory of the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship, while Siena moved into the elimination bracket following the loss.
No. 4 Sacred Heart – 7 | No. 5 Quinnipiac – 5
Gartland Athletic Field | Poughkeepsie | 10:00 AM | Box Score
No. 4 Sacred Heart Pioneers softball stayed alive in the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship with a 7-5 victory over No. 5 Quinnipiac Bobcats softball on Thursday morning in Poughkeepsie, New York.
The Pioneers came out swinging early, using timely hitting and aggressive offense to build momentum against the Bobcats. Sacred Heart found success at the plate throughout the afternoon, highlighted by multiple extra-base hits and key runs in the middle innings that helped create separation on the scoreboard.
Quinnipiac continued to battle and kept the game within reach with clutch hits and defensive plays, but Sacred Heart answered each challenge with timely offense of its own. The Pioneers added insurance runs late in the contest to maintain control as the game entered the final innings.
The Bobcats attempted a late comeback push, cutting into the deficit in the closing frames, but Sacred Heart’s pitching staff came through with key outs to secure the 7-5 victory. The win allowed the Pioneers to continue their run through the elimination bracket, while Quinnipiac’s season came to an end.
Sacred Heart’s balanced offensive attack and ability to respond in pressure moments proved to be the difference in one of the most competitive games of the day at the MAAC Softball Championship.
No. 6 Siena - 5 | No. 5 Quinnipiac – 10
Gartland Athletic Field Poughkeepsie | 12:30 PM | Box Score
No. 5 Quinnipiac Bobcats softball earned a 10-5 victory over No. 6 Siena Saints softball in an elimination game at the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship on Thursday afternoon in Poughkeepsie, New York.
The Bobcats wasted little time getting the offense going, scoring early and continuing to apply pressure throughout the game with timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. Quinnipiac’s lineup stayed hot through the middle innings, stringing together multiple-run frames to build separation on the scoreboard.
Siena battled back throughout the contest and stayed within striking distance thanks to clutch hits and key offensive moments of its own. The Saints continued to threaten offensively, but Quinnipiac answered each rally with timely responses to maintain control of the matchup.
The Bobcats added insurance runs late in the game to pull away and secure the 10-5 win. Quinnipiac’s offense proved to be the difference, producing consistent run support while the defense came through with key outs in critical moments.
With the victory, Quinnipiac advanced in the elimination bracket of the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship, while Siena’s postseason run came to a close.
No. 2 Fairfield - 6 | No. 3 Iona – 10
Gartland Athletic Field | Poughkeepsie | 3:15 PM | Box Score
No. 3 Iona Gaels softball outlasted No. 2 Fairfield Stags softball in a thrilling 10-6 contest during the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship on Thursday afternoon.
The matchup quickly turned into an offensive showcase, with both teams trading runs and momentum swings throughout the game. Fairfield struck early with power at the plate, including back-to-back home runs that energized the Stags and kept pressure on the Gaels’ pitching staff.
Iona answered in a big way during the middle innings, highlighted by a momentum-shifting grand slam that gave the Gaels control of the game. The explosive inning helped spark Iona’s offense as the Gaels continued to capitalize on scoring opportunities and aggressive baserunning.
Despite trailing late, Fairfield refused to back down and continued to chip away at the deficit with timely hitting and clutch at-bats. The Stags threatened multiple times in the late innings, but Iona responded with key defensive plays and important outs to hold onto the lead.
The Gaels closed out the 10-6 victory behind a balanced offensive effort and several timely extra-base hits, securing their second win of the day and advancing further in the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship bracket. Fairfield moved into elimination play following the loss
No. 1 Marist - 8 | No. 4 Sacred Heart - 3
Gartland Athletic Field | Poughkeepsie | 6:01 PM | Box Score
The 2026 MAAC Softball Championship is a six-team, double-e No. 1 Marist Red Foxes softball opened its 2026 MAAC Softball Championship run with a 8-3 victory over No. 4 Sacred Heart Pioneers softball on Thursday evening in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Marist struck first in the opening inning and carried momentum into the early stages of the game, but Sacred Heart answered with a strong second inning, plating three runs to take a 3-1 lead. The Pioneers put pressure on the Red Foxes with timely hitting and aggressive offense as they briefly grabbed control of the matchup.
The Red Foxes responded in a big way during the third inning, erupting for five runs to reclaim the lead for good. Anna Sidlowski sparked the rally with a solo home run before Marist continued to capitalize on scoring opportunities with clutch hits throughout the inning. Sienna Kunze delivered a key RBI single as the Red Foxes surged back in front and shifted momentum in front of the home crowd.
Sacred Heart continued to battle throughout the remainder of the contest and threatened offensively in multiple innings, but Marist’s pitching staff and defense came through with key outs to preserve the advantage. The Red Foxes held the Pioneers scoreless over the final innings to close out the victory.
With the 8-3 win, Marist advanced further in the winners bracket of the 2026 MAAC Softball Championship, while Sacred Heart moved into elimination play.
Tomorrow's Schedule of Events:
Game 6 - 9:00AM: Fairfield vs Quinnipiac
Game 7 - 11:15: Marist vs Iona
Game 8 - 1:30PM Winner of Game 6 vs Sacred Heart
Game 9 - 3:45PM Loser of Game 7 vs Winner of game 8
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 45th year of competition during the 2025-26 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena University.
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