IONA COLLEGE vs. NIAGARA - 3/28/15 - 12:00 PM
vs. CANISIUS - 3/29/15 - 11:00 AM
DONALD E. WALSH FIELD - NEW ROCHELLE, NY
WATCH/LISTEN LIVE : IONAINSIDER.COM
The Iona College softball team begins the defense of its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship this weekend by hosting a pair of league doubleheaders at Donald E. Walsh Field. On Sunday, the Gaels host Niagara, and Canisius visits Monday morning.
PLAYER TO WATCH
After a slow start, sophomore infielder Kristen Turner is batting .450 (9-20) over her last six games. Turner, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year, is coming into her own with four runs batted in and six runs scored over the stretch. In her first go-around in league play a season ago, Turner hit .365 over 20 games, with 27 runs batted in and 18 runs scored.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
The Purple Eagles begin their league slate Saturday afternoon at Fairfield before taking on the Gaels. Niagara currently sits on 0-18 on the season, and most recently dropped both games of a non-conference doubleheader at Cleveland State on Mar. 25.
Gruarin is batting .392 to lead the team, and has connected on two home runs and scored eight times. In the circle, Smyers is 0-9 on the season, but posts a respectable 4.62 earned run average. She has struck out 29 batters in 60.2 innings pitched.
ACTIVE GAELS VS. NIAGARA
In four previous games, junior Sarah Schutz is batting .385 (5-13) in her career against the Purple Eagles. Schutz has scored two runs and drive in another against Niagara. Senior Allison Hand is hitting .375 (6-16) in five previous games, with three runs scored.
Iona - Niagara Last Five Results:
4/7/14 - L, 8-9 (8 inn.) (A)
4/7/14 - L, 1-2 (A)
4/28/14 - W, 4-3 (8 inn.) (H)
4/28/14 - L, 0-2 (H)
4/14/13 - W, 3-0 (A)
SCOUTING CANISIUS
The doubleheader with Iona will mark the first contests for the Golden Griffs in 10 days, who last completed Mar. 18. In a neutral site doubleheader in Clearwater, FL, Canisius swept Army. With a record of 8-9 overall, the Griffs are led offensively by Jessica Berzins, who is batting a team best .446, and Alexis Roman who is hitting at a .415 clip. Berzins and Roman each led the team with 11 runs scored.
Robin Kennery has driven in a team best 12 runs so far this season, while Lindsey Silfer leads the squad with three home runs. As a team, the Griffs post the league's highest team batting average at .313 and the league lowest earned run average (3.53).
In the circle, hurlers Madi Weathers and Erika Mackie each hold record of 4-4 on the season. Weathers has a 2.30 earned run average to go along with 21 strikeouts over 48.2 innings pitched. Mackie has a 3.27 ERA along with 20 strikeouts in 55.2 innings pitched.
ACTIVE GAELS VS. CANISIUS
Turner went 3-8, with a home run, against the Golden Griffs a season ago, scoring four runs and driving in seven more. Schutz is 6-13 (.462) in her career against Canisius pitching.
Iona - Canisius Last Five Results
4/6/14 - W, 16-6 (5 inn.) (A)
4/6/14 - W, 10-8 (A)
4/27/14 - W, 8-1 (H)
4/27/14 - W, 3-2 (9 inn.) (H)
5/11/13 - W, 5-0 (N*)
*2013 MAAC Championship
