Five Things to Know: Softball Heads on Final Regular Season Road Trip

Games 36-39
Canisius (20-15, 7-3 MAAC) at Fairfield (13-19, 6-4 MAAC), Iona (18-16, 7-3 MAAC)
Dates: Saturday, April 23 | Sunday, April 24
Times: 12:00/2:00 p.m. | 12:00/2:00 p.m.
Location: Fairfield, Conn. | New Rochelle, N.Y.
Broadcast: Stags Sports Network | Iona Insider
Live Stats: Through fairfieldstags.com and icgaels.com
Twitter: @GriffsSoftball | #Griffs | #MAACSoftball

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1. First Pitch
The Canisius softball team heads on the road for the final time during the 2022 regular season as it faces MAAC foes Fairfield and Iona on April 23 and 24.

First pitch of the opening games is slated for noon and will be broadcasted on the respective school's websites.

2. Sweep of the Bonnies
The Golden Griffins earned their fourth sweep of the season on Wednesday, taking down St. Bonaventure, 4-2 and 8-1, at the Demske Sports Complex.

Graduate student Shealyn Ollison and sophomore Megan Giese combined to stifle the Bonnies' bats in the first game, holding them to just five hits.

Redshirt senior Emily Nicosia kept St. Bonaventure's offense at bay in game two, allowing just three hits in her 22nd career complete game.

The pitcher's combined to strike out 14 batters while yielding just one earned run.

3. A Strong Month in the Circle
The Canisius pitching staff has been dominant in the circle during the month of April, posting a season-best 2.50 ERA in 106.1 innings pitched.

Backed behind Giese's 0.71 earned run average, the staff has struck out 103 batters while holding opponents to a .233 batting average.

Giese has fanned 61 batters in 39.2 innings of work, while Nicosia has posted a 1.65 ERA in 17.0 innings.

Ollison has picked up three wins in five appearances, pitching to a 2.71 ERA in 20.2 frames.

4. Welcome to the Bomb Squad
Junior Tiara Johnson slugged her first career home run in the second game of the doubleheader Wednesday.

Johnson walloped a 3-2 pitch from St. Bonaventure starter Emily Phelan, serving it well over the center field wall for a two-run shot in the first inning.

The third year outfielder has reached base via hit or walk in nine of her last 11 games.

5. Home, Sweet Home
Canisius will play the remainder of its 2022 regular season schedule at the Demske Sports Complex, closing out the final seven games as the home team.

The Griffs are slated to host crosstown rival Buffalo on April 27 for a non-conference midweek contest with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.

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

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Players Mentioned

#17 Megan Giese: P/INF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#25 Tiara Johnson: OF; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#18 Emily Nicosia: P; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#22 Shealyn Ollison: P; 5' 6"; Graduate Student; R/R

Players Mentioned

#17 Megan Giese
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: P/INF

#25 Tiara Johnson
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#18 Emily Nicosia
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: P

#22 Shealyn Ollison
: 5' 6"; Graduate Student; R/R
: P