Five Things to Know: Softball Heads South for Final Regular Season Tournament of 2022

Games 14-19
Canisius (8-5) vs. Ohio State (13-4), Purdue (14-13), Lehigh (4-9), St. Thomas (3-16), at USF (23-4)
Dates: Friday, March 18 | Saturday, March 19 | Sunday, March 20 | Tuesday March 22
Times: 9:00 a.m./4:30 p.m. | 9:00 a.m./2:00 p.m. | 4:02 p.m. | 2:02 p.m.
Location: Tampa, Fla. | USF Softball Stadium
Broadcast: ESPN+ (Only games against USF)
Live Stats: Through gousfbulls.com
Twitter: @GriffsSoftball | #Griffs | #MAACSoftball

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1. First Pitch
After being off for nearly three weeks, the Canisius softball team will make its way down south for the final time in the regular season, as it competes in six games at the USF Tournament in Tampa, Fla. from March 18-22.

The Griffs are slated to face Ohio State and Purdue on the first day of the Tournament, followed by Purdue and St. Thomas on Saturday and USF in a pair of contests to round out the weekend. Times for first pitch on March 18 are slated for 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively, from the USF Softball Stadium.

2. Two More MAAC Weekly Awards
Canisius added to its weekly award honors after sophomore Christie McGee-Ross and freshman Saige Alfaro were named the MAAC Player of the Week and MAAC Rookie of the Week honors, respectively, on March 1.

During the eight-game week, McGee-Ross collected 14 hits in 28 trips to the plate, scoring seven times and driving in 10 batters.

Alfaro, who is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, drove in six runners on 12 hits, while also crossing the plate seven times.

McGee-Ross and Alfaro joined sophomores Gianna Fazzolari and Megan Giese to be recognized for their success on the field by the conference.

3. Offense Was On Fire in February
Canisius had a big month at the plate, putting together 119 hits in 367 at bats, good for a .324 batting average. In the 13 contests, the Griffs scored 79 runs, collected 44 extra-base hits (28 doubles, 7 triples and 9 home runs)and stole 24 bases.

During the month, Canisius had nine or more hits in eight contests, scoring eight or more runs in six games.

4. Hurling Big Numbers in the Opening Month
Like the offense, the Griffs' pitching staff had a strong opening month to the 2022 campaign.

Canisius pitched to a 3.10 team earned run average and 0.97 WHIP across 81 1/3 innings, while holding opponents to a .219 batting average.

The staff struck out a combined 72 batters while also earning four saves, the most in a season since Canisius picked up five saves during the 2017 campaign.

5. Coming Home
Canisius will return to Western New York and prepare for its first home series at the Demske Sports Complex in 2022.

The Griffs are slated to host crosstown rival Buffalo on March 29 for a doubleheader. First pitch of the opening game is scheduled for 2 p.m.

For complete coverage of Canisius softball, please follow @griffssoftball on Instagram and Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Christie McGee-Ross: OF; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R

#21 Gianna Fazzolari: C/INF; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

#17 Megan Giese: P/INF; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

#15 Saige Alfaro: INF; 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Christie McGee-Ross
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

#21 Gianna Fazzolari
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: C/INF

#17 Megan Giese
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: P/INF

#15 Saige Alfaro
: 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R
: INF