Canisius Advances to Championship Game of the 2007 MAAC Softball Championship
MAAC Sports
Stratford, Conn. ? Top-seeded Canisius College (26-19) took an 8-6 victory over second-seeded Saint Peter’s College (22-22), 8-7, in game three of the 2007 MAAC Softball Championship at DeLuca Field.
Saint Peter’s started its scoring in the early going as Michelle Casares singled to right field to allow Chrissy Gannon to score in the top of the first inning.
The Peahens then took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning, with Christie Crowell knocking a single to center field to bring in Megan Papierniak, and Gannon hitting a single down the left field line to allow Ariana Payan to reach home plate.
Canisius pulled ahead, however, in the bottom of the fourth as Jess Martin hit a two-RBI single to right center field and Brittany Bonetto doubled to right center to bring in two more runs to put the Griffs up, 4-3.
Canisius then added two more runs (6-3) to the scoreboard in the fifth, as Jamie Gerace scored on Katie Miranto’s single to left center and Miranto scored as Cameron Norton grounded out to third base.
But Saint Peter’s was not done yet, as Casares belted a grand slam home run over the right center field wall to give the Peahens a 7-6 lead in the top of the seventh.
Canisius responded in the bottom of the seventh with Miranto singling through the left side to bring in Jenny Maheu and Gerace to send the Griffs to the championship game.
Canisius’ Mallory Aldred improved to 1-2 on the season with the win. Saint Peter’s Tricia Reingle dropped to 7-3 on the season.
Canisius will play the winner of today’s Game 5 on Saturday, May 12, at 12:00 p.m.