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Canisius University Athletics

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Megan Giese throwing a pitch in game one April 30, 2022 versus Manhattan
Ken Morey
4
Manhattan MAN 11-27, 5-8 MAAC
8
Winner Canisius CAN 24-16, 11-4 MAAC
Manhattan MAN
11-27, 5-8 MAAC
4
Final
8
Canisius CAN
24-16, 11-4 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Manhattan MAN 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 4 7 4
Canisius CAN 0 3 2 0 0 3 X 8 9 1

W: Giese, Megan (9-8) L: RISING, Jessie (5-5)

2
Manhattan MAN 11-28, 5-9 MAAC
7
Winner Canisius CAN 25-16, 12-4 MAAC
Manhattan MAN
11-28, 5-9 MAAC
2
Final
7
Canisius CAN
25-16, 12-4 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Manhattan MAN 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 5 3
Canisius CAN 0 0 0 4 0 3 X 7 9 0

W: Nicosia, Emily (7-0) L: METZGER, Ava (5-11) S: Churchill, Alexis (3)

Game Recap: Softball |

Giese’s Historic Day Paces Softball to Sweep Over Manhattan

Sophomore Megan Giese struck out a career-high 15 batters in Canisius' 8-4 win in game one before the Golden Griffins' defeated Manhattan, 7-2, in the nightcap to sweep the Jaspers in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference softball doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex.

With the pair of wins, Canisius improved to 25-16 on the season, the most wins since the 2015 campaign. The Griffs also hold a conference-best 12-4 record in MAAC play. 

With the two losses, Manhattan fell to 11-28 and 5-9 in conference action.

Game 1 Recap
In the midst of Giese beginning her strong start of the circle, sophomore catcher Gianna Fazzolari threw out a pair of would-be base stealers in each of the first two innings. 

Those would be the only outs for the Jaspers that were not strikeouts until Megan Gillooley grounded out to end the top half of the sixth frame.

Canisius would grab a 3-0 advantage in the second thanks to a pair of freshmen infielders.

With the bases loaded, Emily Ilano slugged a ball to right for a sacrifice fly, with the two other runners moving up a base.

Saige Alfaro then blooped a ball over the shortstop's head to plate juniors Tiara Johnson and Sophia Recrosio for a two-out double.

After Manhattan plated a run in the third, the Griffs answered in the home half, crossing the plate two more times.

Pinch runner Sydney Costan made it a 4-1 game following graduate student Lindsi Dennis' fielder's choice before Fazzolari scored Canisius' fifth run on Johnson's bunt single.

The Jaspers cut the Griffs' lead to three in the fifth before pinch hitter Tajiana Pickett hit a two-run shot in the sixth to make it a one-run ballgame.

Canisius plated three runs in the home half of the sixth following a pair of throwing errors by Manhattan, putting the Griffs in front, 8-4.

Senior Alexis Churchill took over for Giese in the circle in the seventh, inducing a pair of fly outs and fanning the 16th batter of the game.

Game 2 Recap
Redshirt senior Emily Nicosia took the circle in game two, yielding just two runs across 5.1 innings of work to post her seventh win of the season.

Following three scoreless frames, the Griffs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fourth.

With a pair of runners on, Recrosio served a ball up the middle, driving in pinch runner Sam Weber.

Johnson and Recrosio pulled off the double steal, with Johnson coming across to score the second run after a wild throw from Manhattan catcher Megan Hedlund.

Alfaro and graduate student Erin Hufford put the Griffs out in front by four following back-to-back infield singles.

The Jaspers looked to make it a game later in the sixth inning.

After Gillooley led off the frame with a triple, Lauren Rende singled her in on a ball to right.

Pinch runner Gabriella Mazzotta came around to score on Flood's one-out double, ending the day for Nicosia.

Churchill entered the circle in relief for the second time on the day, once again silencing the Manhattan bats. The southpaw tossed another perfect outing in game two, closing out the final 1.2 innings, striking out a pair to earn her third save of the season.

Game Notes
• The Griffs have swept six doubleheaders this season, with four of their last five twinbills resulting in sweeps.
• The 25 wins are the most in a single season since 2015, when the team went 26-19.
• Giese and Churchill's 16 combined strikeouts were one shy of matching Andrea Bunten's program record 17 punch outs. Bunten achieved the feat on May 2, 2004 in the Griffs' victory over Rider.
• Giese's 15 strikeouts are the second-most by a MAAC pitcher this season. Iona's Kara Zazzaro struck out 16 batters against Cleveland State on March 4.
• Giese passed Bunten (148 in 2008) for the eighth-most strikeouts in a single season in program history with 149.
• Giese and Churchill are the first pair of teammates in program history to earn at least three saves in a single season.
• Hufford now sits seventh all-time in program history with 186 career hits, passing Jill Iacono (1999-02).
• With three hits in game one and a pair of knocks in the second game, Alfaro now has 13 multi-hit performances this season, one behind Hufford.

Up Next
• Canisius will face Saint Peter's on Sunday in a doubleheader at the Demske Sports Complex. Due to inclement weather in the forecast, the first game of the twinbill will now begin at 10 a.m.

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