Softball To Face Arizona in NCAA Tournament

The Canisius College softball team will face No. 7 Arizona in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament on Friday, May 16, at noon at Hofstra University in the Hempstead Regional.

The Golden Griffins qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the 10th time in school history on Sunday when the Blue and Gold powered past Marist 8-0 in the MAAC Championship game. Canisius (38-12) went 3-0 in the event and has now won eight-straight games, which is the eighth-longest winning streak in the nation.

Arizona (36-16) was selected to its 22nd consecutive NCAA appearance, and will travel for the first rounds of play for the sixth time. The Wildcats have been sent to Tempe, Ariz., for three trips including 1987 -- its first year in the tourney, 1988 and 1989; to Tallahassee, Fla., in 1996; and to Minneapolis in 2002. Canisius and Arizona met one time previously in the national tournament in 1994 in Tuscon, where the Wildcats won 7-0.

Joining Canisius and Arizona in the Hempstead Regional will be Hofstra and Long Island. Hofstra won its 11th-straight Colonial Athletic Association crown on Sunday and enters the tournament with a 43-11 record. Long Island secured the 11th Northeast Conference crown Sunday at home. The Blackbirds are 34-15 on the season.

Canisius is led by senior catpain Katie Miranto, who was named the MAAC Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after she hit .500 (6-for-12) with a double, a triple, five runs scored and five RBIs. Junior pitcher Juliette Bowers (pictured) was named the MAAC Pitcher of the Year and enters the national postseason with a 20-1 record and a 1.95 ERA in 139.2 innings of work. Canisius had six players named to the MAAC's All-Tournament Team, with Miranto and Bowers being joined by Cameron Norton, Michelle Fridey, Lauren Hope and Jenny Maheu.

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Players Mentioned

#36 Juliette Bowers: P; 5' 10"; Junior

#17 Michelle Fridey: C/DP; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#28 Lauren Hope: OF; 5' 2"; Freshman

#73 Jenny Maheu: OF; 5' 2"; Junior

#9 Katie Miranto: IF; 5' 7"; Senior

#5 Cameron Norton: IF; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#36 Juliette Bowers
: 5' 10"; Junior
: P

#17 Michelle Fridey
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: C/DP

#28 Lauren Hope
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: OF

#73 Jenny Maheu
: 5' 2"; Junior
: OF

#9 Katie Miranto
: 5' 7"; Senior
: IF

#5 Cameron Norton
: 5' 10"; Junior
: IF