Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Manhattan College softball team entered this weekend's action knowing that its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) fate was in its own hands. On Saturday afternoon, the Jaspers (18-22, 8-6 MAAC) split a doubleheader with first-place Marist (22-22, 8-4 MAAC) at Gaelic Park to move within a game of the top spot in the jumbled MAAC standings. Manhattan won the opener by a 7-2 margin before the Red Foxes posted an 8-0 victory in game two.
Despite sitting just one game out of first, the Jaspers are currently tied for fifth place in the MAAC. There is a virtual three-way tie for first between Marist, Fairfield (22-18, 8-4 MAAC) and Siena (15-22, 7-3 MAAC), although the Saints are technically the conference leaders based on winning percentage. Manhattan is tied for fifth place with Niagara (13-25, 8-6 MAAC), percentage points behind Iona (11-33, 7-5 MAAC). The Jaspers host Siena on Sunday, while the Purple Eagles and Gaels will face each other in New Rochelle.
Marist jumped in front early with a pair of first-inning runs in game one. After the Red Foxes loaded the bases with two out, Kyrsten Van Natta ripped an RBI single up the middle. Alyssa Zahka later scored on a wild pitch before Kelsi Redding (Tucson, Ariz.) retired Christina Lausch on a popup to end the inning.
The Jaspers responded with a five-spot in the bottom of the second. Amanda Paxson (Cedar Grove, N.J.) started the rally with a double down the right field line before Andi Stallard (Katy, Texas) singled and Sydney Weedon (Santa Ana, Calif.) walked to load the bases with nobody out. Manhattan got on the board when Jen Keller (Woodridge, N.J.) ripped a one-out single to center, then, following a fly out by Emily Cutler (Bloomingdale, N.J.), Kate Bowen (Newtown, Conn.) turned on the first pitch she saw and crushed a grand slam to deep right center field, giving the Jaspers a 5-2 advantage.
Stallard sparked another Manhattan rally when she ripped a leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth. After Weedon bunted her over to third, Stallard was lifted for pinch runner Anna Gallacher (New Fairfield, Conn.). Gallacher eventually scored when Keller reached on a ground ball to short that should've ended the inning. The error led directly to another Manhattan run, as well, as Cutler followed with an RBI double to left center.
After Marist left 10 runners on base over the first six innings, Redding sent the Red Foxes down in order in the top of the seventh to preserve the 7-2 victory.
Paxson and Stallard each went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Cutler's double and Bowen's grand slam were Manhattan's only other extra-base hits in the game. Keller scored two runs and drove in another as part of a 1-for-3 performance. Redding (3-5) yielded two runs on just four hits, struck out three and walked eight in a complete-game effort.
The Red Foxes didn't record a hit after the third inning and had just four singles as a team. Maureen Duddy was 1-for-2 with a run scored, while Van Natta picked up Marist's only RBI in the game. Emily Osterhaus (9-8) took the loss after surrendering seven runs (five earned) on nine hits with a walk and two strikeouts in six innings of work.
In game two, Marist tallied three runs in the top of the second and added three more in the fourth before the Jaspers loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom half of the inning. Paxson led off and was hit by a pitch, then Stallard singled off the pitcher's leg and Weedon reached on an error. Mickayla Romero (Las Vegas, Nev.) followed with a screeching line drive that was snagged by first baseman Aly Klemmer, who stepped on the bag to double-up Weedon. Keller then popped up to end the threat.
Danielle Koltz smashed a solo homer in the top of the sixth, and Marist added another run on doubles by Aly Klemmer and Lausch in the seventh. Cutler drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, but she was picked off first to end the game. With the 8-0 victory, the Red Foxes maintained a share of first place in the MAAC.
The Jaspers were limited to six hits in game two, with Bowen going 2-for-4 at the plate. She also got the start in the circle and took the loss. Bowen (8-7) gave up six runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out one in three innings. Amy Bright (Manlius, N.Y.) tossed four solid innings of relief, yielding two runs on five hits while striking out five and not issuing a walk.
Six different Marist players had two hits apiece, as the Red Foxes finished with 12 hits in the contest. Lausch had a pair of doubles, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Colleen McWilliams was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Koltz and Janine Lalli both went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs, while Van Natta and Klemmer each scored twice. Paige Lewis (5-5) tossed a complete game shutout, scattering six hits and walking one while also recording two strikeouts. Lewis also benefitted from three double plays.
Manhattan concludes its home schedule with a 10:30 a.m. doubleheader against Siena on Sunday. It will be “Senior Day” at Gaelic Park, as the Jaspers will honor their seven-member Class of 2013 between games of the twinbill.