Following a 18-8 start to the season in non-conference play, Marist softball began MAAC conference play with a series sweep against Quinnipiac. The time has come for the Center Field staff to give their thoughts about the start of the season and what’s to come for the reigning MAAC champions.
What have been the takeaways of the non-conference portion of the season?
Aidan Lavin, Softball Beat Writer:
Marist stood toe-to-toe with every team they played during the non-conference schedule. They started slow with a six-run loss to Houston Christian University and a 10-run loss against the University of New Mexico, but they got into a groove and didn’t look back after that. The Red Foxes rattled off an 11-game win streak on spring break, including a 13-3 mercy rule victory over Central Connecticut State University, which has a 5-1 record against MAAC opponents.
Last season during spring break, Marist struggled against talented and bigger schools. This year, they beat multiple competent teams including Jacksonville University, North Florida University, Bucknell University and North Dakota State University. Through non-conference play, they proved they can square up with just about anyone.
Luke Sassa, Editor-in-Chief:
Make no mistake, Marist did not play against top-flight competition in non-conference play. As of March 28, Marist’s non-conference opponents had posted a combined 221-304 record this season, good for only a .421 win percentage. With this being the case, the defending MAAC champion Red Foxes were expected to excel against their opponents, and they did just that with an 18-8 record in non-conference play.
Only five of Marist’s 17 non-conference opponents have posted a winning record thus far in 2024. Marist held their own against these opponents by going 4-4 in those games, with one of the losses coming in extra innings. Overall, the Red Foxes did what they needed to in non-conference play, creating a sense of momentum as they now focus on squaring off against MAAC foes.
Cara Lacey, Director of Social Media and Graphics:
Heading into MAAC play with an 18-8 record, it is clear Marist softball is looking to be back-to-back MAAC conference champions. The Red Foxes have skill both in the field and behind the plate. There is a talented group of sophomores on this roster between catcher/utility Isabella Manory, outfielder Peyton Pusey and infielder Haley Ahr. Ahr received numerous accolades last season such as MAAC Rookie of the Year and All-MAAC First Team. The infielder started non-conference play just as she left off last season, batting .444 AVG with four home runs and 27 RBIs in 81 at-bats.
Pusey has made a name for herself as well, being named to the All-MAAC Second Team and MAAC All-Rookie Team as a freshman. She has shown off her baserunning IQ with 14 stolen bases already this season. Manory was sixth in the MAAC last year in on-base percentage with an OBP of .442 and she sits at .368 this season. I’m excited to watch this sophomore group continue to make big differences for the Red Foxes throughout the 2024 season.
Mike Schiavone, Contributor:
The 1-2 punch at the top of the pitching rotation. Graduate student pitcher Kiley Myers and freshman outfielder/pitcher Anna Sidlowski have been very effective, sporting a 1.96 ERA and 2.17 ERA, respectively. The two have varying pitching styles, Myers being more of a strikeout pitcher–– fanning 74 hitters over 82 innings of work–– while Sidlowski does a tremendous job of pitching to contact and trusting her defense. Sidlowski’s finesse style of pitching counters Myers’ dominant approach tremendously and forces teams to make major adjustments from one game to the next. If this duo continues to pitch well, the Red Foxes could be well on their way to winning a second consecutive MAAC championship.
Zach LaGrasta, Contributor:
The ability to win any type of game. Whether it’s a low-scoring or high-scoring game, the team picks each other up. When the hitting struggled, the pitching and defense did the job and won 3-0. Then there are games where pitching could be better but the offense steps up and wins 12-11. This is the type of team that battles and can win under any circumstance. Sporting an 18-8 record before coming home is a big boost to begin the season as the Red Foxes try to repeat last year and get to the NCAA tournament.
What is the most exciting element of this team?
Aidan:
Most of the roster from last year’s MAAC Championship is back on this year’s squad, picking up right where they left off. During the three-game sweep against Quinnipiac University, it was evident they can get it done in a multitude of ways while everyone contributes. They put pressure on the defense while running the bases, the long ball played a factor, they got on the Bobcats early with first-inning run production, the pitching was stellar and the defense was clean.
Myers, the 2023 MAAC Championship MVP, looks just as dominant as last year with a sub-2.00 ERA. They have a potent 1-5 in the batting order of Pusey, senior utility Miah McDonald, junior utility Maddie Pleasants, Ahr and senior utility Alyssa Grupp. But recently, the rest of the lineup has contributed as well. Junior infielder Ronni Howard homered twice in the series, graduate student outfielder Sophia Recrosio has a .400 OBP while sophomore catcher Isabella Manory and the four-time MAAC Rookie of the Week, Sidlowski, are both hitting at least .275 AVG. Sidlowski is also 9-2 with a 2.17 ERA. Did I name the entire starting lineup? Absolutely, but it’s warranted with this group.
Luke:
This offensive production has been staggering for Marist. Ahr currently leads the MAAC with a gargantuan 1.237 OPS, firmly cementing herself as an elite talent in the conference after winning MAAC Rookie of the Year. If Ahr is 1-A, then McDonald and Pusey are 1-B and 1-C, as they currently have the second and third-highest OPS figures in the MAAC. McDonald has far and away been the best power hitter in the conference, with her eight home runs leading all qualified hitters by a wide margin.
The list of offensive standouts for Marist is a lengthy one: Ahr, Pusey, Grupp, McDonald and Pleasants, the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, all rank in the top nine in batting average, with each of them hitting .368 or better. Add in the contributions of graduate student outfielder Sophia Recrosio (.333 AVG) and you end up with an offense that halfway through the season has already scored 68 more runs than any other school in the MAAC.
Cara:
The freshmen. Specifically, for me, Sidlowski. Sidlowski adds to a short but impressive Red Fox pitching staff with Pleasants and Myers. As a freshman, Sidlowski has already started 10 games for the Red Foxes, pitching 67 innings with a 2.42 ERA. Her performances in the circle led to her being awarded MAAC Rookie of the Week four times thus far. Fellow freshman infielder Samantha Rogers has also been awarded MAAC Rookie of the Week. Rogers hit a grand slam as her first collegiate homerun in Marist’s 14-1 victory over Presbyterian. The rest of the freshmen class, between outfielder Taylor Anderson and catcher Rowan Drew, have made the most of their opportunities.
Mike:
Explosive offense. The Red Foxes currently have a team batting average of .315 (up from .283 last year), which is good for 33rd best in the NCAA. McDonald leads the way on offense with eight home runs, which is already a career-high. Pusey and Ahr are among the other catalysts at the top of the batting order, batting .444 AVG and .409 AVG, respectively. Reigning MAAC Player of the Year, Pleasants, has made her presence felt at the plate as well, coming up with many clutch knocks late in games.
Marist has four players that rank top-10 in the MAAC in batting average, including Ahr, Pusey, McDonald, and Grupp. Along with the run production and power, the Red Foxes possess many players who are aggressive on the bases. Marist leads the MAAC with 63 stolen bases, headlined by Pusey and McDonald. The duo has swiped 14 and 10 bases, respectively, only being caught stealing four times combined. The Red Foxes are a force to be reckoned with this season, as their combination of timely hitting and quality baserunning will give opposing teams fits.
Zach:
Haley Ahr and the lineup as a whole. The team is clicking on all cylinders and I think you can look at the lineup and give them a huge round of applause because the lineup has 6 hitters with a batting average above .333. The team, as a whole, has a .315 AVG, .471 SLG and .386 OBP. All those numbers can be excited about. Also, Ahr deserves to be highlighted as she’s having an incredible season in the box. She’s slashing .444 AVG with 4 HR and 27 RBI. Ahr is stepping up and turning this offense into an elite and explosive force.
What is most concerning about this team?
Aidan:
In all but one of their eight losses on the season, the opponent scored first. Marist is more than likely going to be playing with a lead for the majority of the season. If they are in a game where the offense is struggling or the pitching gets hit hard, will they be able to find a way to gut out a win? While the six-run fourth inning after being down against Saint Mary’s 4-1 shows they are capable, the six runs were unearned and they went on to lose in extras.
Marist has been aggressive and anything but complacent when playing with a lead, which is great. It is fair to assume the team should be alright given the situation comes about because they are such an experienced group. Playing from behind is not easy though, especially when you don’t have to do it much throughout the year.
Luke:
Marist arguably has five elite hitters, but after that, the dropoff is somewhat stark with many of their bottom-of-the-lineup hitters posting subpar performances so far. If the top and middle of the Marist batting order stays healthy, this concern will likely be minimized, as they have more than enough talent to carry the load offensively.
The pitching staff is similarly top-heavy, yet the same adage rings true: if Myers and Sidlowski continue to stay healthy (they’ve combined to pitch 149.2 scintillating innings), Marist should have little issue keeping other teams off the board. One of the biggest concerns surrounding this team is the expectations. Coming off a conference championship and a fast start to this season, expectations are sky-high. Marist has delivered so far, but in doing so, they have rendered any outcome other than back-to-back MAAC titles as a disappointment. The pressure will constantly be on for Marist to come through in the biggest moments.
Cara:
Weirdly enough, the biggest concern about this team is that they are not used to losing and trailing other teams. When the Red Foxes start giving up runs, they seem to struggle to mentally to get back into the game and continue playing the game they are capable of. If the team does not have a string lead off the jump it gets shaky. They need to be able to come down from runs, rather than lose momentum.
Mike:
Pitching depth behind Myers and Sidlowski. Marist has only used two other pitchers this season, Pleasants and junior Isabella Milazzo. Pleasants has struggled in her eight appearances this season, posting a 5.46 ERA in 33.1 innings of work. She has also struggled with command early on, yielding 36 free passes–– roughly one walk per inning. If Pleasants can decrease her walk total and pitch to contact, she will be relied upon more and provide relief for Myers and Sidlowski.
Similarly to Pleasants, Milazzo also has struggled with her command, walking 10 hitters. In Milazzo’s six relief appearances, she has posted an 8.00 ERA in just seven innings. Due to these command issues, coach Joe Ausanio has leaned heavily on Myers and Sidlowski, as they have pitched 17 complete games combined over the team’s first 29 games. Fatigue is a huge factor late in a long season, and if Ausanio’s workhorses continue the pace they are on in terms of innings, it is possible they may not be as effective in the playoffs. If Pleasants and Milazzo are still struggling to fill up the strike zone, it is difficult to envision who will provide Myers and Sidlowski rest.
Zach:
Depth. The options on the bench are all hitting .200 AVG and below in their limited chances. The team is having a great offensive year due to everyone hitting and keeping the lineup moving, but, if there’s an injury the lineup can take a huge hit. For a team to have their biggest worry be about depth, they are in a good spot. That being said, if there’s any way to get bench pieces more at-bats, that may get certain players going and their confidence up which will be helpful with the unpredictability of any given season.
Which team in the MAAC can cause the most trouble for Marist?
Aidan:
Canisius is the obvious pick after getting off to a fast start. The Golden Griffins shut out Mount St. Mary’s in their conference opening doubleheader; senior pitcher/infielder Megan Giese is back leading the 2024 MAAC Preseason Poll runner-up. Let’s give a sneaky pick instead. From afar, Siena has impressed to begin the season. The Saints have not begun MAAC play just yet, but fared well in non-conference play, going 14-8. They lost to Bucknell 5-3, who Marist beat 3-0, and went 1-1 facing Ivy League schools, which are typically tough competition. To date, the Saints have the second fewest strikeouts, the third most stolen bases and feature the best ERA and fielding percentage in the MAAC. Siena faces Marist in Loudonville, NY on April 9th.
Luke:
Siena is a sleeper team in the MAAC. Picked fifth in the Coaches’ Preseason Poll, the Saints have exceeded expectations, as they currently are the only MAAC team aside from Marist to hold a winning overall record (14-8). Siena has not yet faced off against any MAAC opponents (they will tomorrow when they play the Mount), so the jury is still somewhat out on them, but they have done a commendable job getting off to a solid start in non-conference play.
The Saints have played in numerous close games this season, yet their +33 run differential through 22 games suggests their winning record is legit. Siena is also the only team in the MAAC with a better team ERA than Marist, as the Saints’ staff currently sports a microscopic 2.42 ERA on the year. If Siena can continue their dominance in the circle, they will certainly have a chance to neutralize Marist’s elite hitters and unseat them atop the MAAC.
Cara:
Canisius. Canisius was ranked second in the MAAC Pre-season poll where Marist was ranked first. Marist and Canisius met twice last year in the MAAC championships, both times the Red Foxes came out on top. Winning the first matchup 6-5 and the championship 6-2. Canisius sits at a 7-10 overall record and a 2-0 conference record. Senior outfielder Christie McGee-Ross has a batting average of .366 and has hit 15 home runs this year already. The team blew out fellow MAAC team Mount St. Marys’ to open MAAC play, winning 6-0 and 11-0. They continue MAAC play this weekend with Rider and then look to play Syracuse next week which will be an interesting matchup to pay attention to.
Mike:
Canisius. The Golden Griffins also swept their first MAAC opponent, routing Mount St. Mary’s while not giving up a run. In the preseason poll, Canisius was ranked second, right behind Marist; Canisius had two players named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team, which only trailed Marist with four players. One of those players is senior outfielder Christie McGee-Ross. McGee-Ross was an All-MAAC First Team Selection a season ago, leading the conference with a .403 batting average, a .506 on-base percentage, and 35 stolen bases. It is safe to say McGee-Ross will be a key cog in Canisius’ lineup once again and Marist will have to pitch her carefully.
The other Golden Griffin selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Team was senior pitcher Megan Giese. Giese was the MAAC Pitcher of the Year last season, going 18-7 with a 2.42 ERA to go along with 16 complete games. Giese was also one of two pitchers in program history to surpass 200 total strikeouts in a season, tallying 208. Marist faced Canisius in the MAAC Championship a year ago to capture their first MAAC title since 2016, and it is safe to say the Golden Griffins will play hard all season to avenge their loss to the Red Foxes.
Zach:
Canisuius, due to the fact that they have a solid track record. Last year in the regular season, Canisius was an impressive 17-3 in conference play. A team with that strong of a record and then losing the championship is going to play with a chip on their shoulder. It’s safe to assume they want to re-establish themselves as the best team in the MAAC.
The X-Factor of this team is…
Aidan:
The sophomore group of Peyton Pusey, Haley Ahr and Isabella Manory. The reliable upperclassmen are a proven bunch and are going to produce. Not to say the sophomore trio has not been productive because they have, but looking at this lineup, these three are put in arguably the most impactful spots. Pusey is tasked with manning the leadoff spot while playing center field, Ahr bats cleanup and Manory handles duties behind the plate.
Manory has been stellar defensively, touting a 1.000 fielding percentage and throwing out six of 13 runners on stolen base attempts. Eliminating the few baserunners the pitching staff allows is huge for the Red Foxes and Manory finding ways to get on base is an added bonus. Pusey has been about as good a leadoff as you can ask for slashing .409/.481/.559 along with a 1.040 OPS, along with a team-high 14 walks and stolen bases. She is also dependable in the outfield but striking out more than expected. Last season, Pusey struck out a total of 26 times but has already struck out 18 times in 29 games. If Pusey limits her strikeouts the rest of the way as a leadoff, the Red Foxes are in even better shape. As for Ahr, she currently sits second on the team with 27 RBIs. Her offensive excellence (.444/.521/.716) as a clean-up needs to continue, so the team’s offense can continue scoring at a dangerous rate.
Luke:
Manager Joe Ausanio. Ausanio recently crossed the 400-win plateau, an indication of his longevity and overall success. Between his steadfast demeanor and his highly successful recruitment efforts over the last few years, he seems to be getting the most out of his players while elevating the program. Ausanio is a proven commodity who knows a thing or two about the big leagues, making him the ideal candidate to manage the Red Fox dugout during their quest to repeat as MAAC champions.
Cara:
Ahr started in all 58 games that she appeared in last season and led the MAAC with 49 RBIs. Ahr also hit .379 and went 16 for 19 on stolen bases, receiving numerous accolades. The MAAC Rookie of the Year and All-MAAC First Team selection is batting .444 AVG and has 27 assists with zero errors so far this season. If Ahr continues down this road, she will one again be a huge difference-maker for the Red Foxes late in the season.
Mike:
Pleasants. Everyone knows what she can do with the bat, as she is the reigning MAAC Player of the Year for a reason. However, if she can improve in the circle, she makes this team even better. As a key bat in the middle of the order, she has come up with timely hits–– notably against Bethune-Cookman on the team’s spring break trip–– and driven in 18 runs, which is good for third most on the team. Pleasants has shown flashes on the mound, striking out 25 batters in 33.2 innings pitched, but she needs to develop consistency with her command to be trusted in big games. If the command issue is resolved, Pleasants will take some much-needed pressure off Myers and Sidlowski, allowing them to be fresh for the playoffs.
Zach:
Myers and her 1.96 ERA. She is an incredible pitcher and if she stays at this pace, Marist will continue to win many games based on pitching alone. The offense is clicking this year and I believe it will continue at this pace. If they can get good pitching, which has often been a given this year, Marist will be in good shape down the stretch.
A successful season for the Red Foxes is…
Aidan:
The redundant, but also fair, answer: winning the MAAC championship. The expectations are high and this team embraces that. Head coach Joe Ausanio and the rest of the coaching staff have drilled into this team that the target is on their back. They are prepared to face every team’s best. While we can go into a statistical deep dive to justify why they should win back-to-back champions, watching this group take the field is more than enough reason. The Red Foxes, deservedly so, have a ton of confidence in themselves individually and as a unit. Making the claim that this team is more talented than last season’s championship team is not a stretch at all so expecting them to win another conference title is warranted.
Luke:
This year’s Marist squad appears to be even more talented than last year’s iteration, so the Red Foxes should have their sights set on more than just winning the MAAC. Last year, after winning the conference, Marist was swept out of the NCAA tournament by Florida State and South Carolina, although the Red Foxes did hold their own in a one-run loss to the Gamecocks. Marist should aim for more this time around; making some noise on the national stage would surely register as another boost to a program that is already thriving.
Cara:
Becoming back-to-back MAAC conference champions. The team has a roster full of experience and freshmen who are already showing they are ready for collegiate softball. There is a lot of talent on this team and, although I said Canisius will be the biggest problem for Marist, I don’t think they pose that big of a threat. This team is ready to win another MAAC Championship and go back to the NCAA tournament.
Mike:
Winning another MAAC championship. Marist has all of the pieces to repeat, from their lineup, pitching, baserunning, and defense. They also have an experienced coach in Ausanio who knows how to win and get the best out of all his players. The production from the top of the lineup is going to have to continue for Marist to achieve their goals; another important aspect of the game championship teams do is play stellar defense. Currently, the team has an excellent .966 fielding percentage, ranking inside the top 100 in the NCAA. Myers and Sidlowski will have to continue pitching at a high level, and with help from Pleasants, could have plenty of enticing options in the circle come playoff time. After winning the MAAC a season ago, the Red Foxes now have even more experience and know what it takes to win a championship.
Zach:
A MAAC championship. They won the MAAC last year and I believe they gained crucial playoff experience to become an even better team now. Since they are a better team and currently the defending champs, why would they not be able to defend the crown? The team has plenty of talent so I think a championship is a realistic goal. If they do anything else, I believe it is a failed opportunity since there is so much talent throughout the entire roster. It comes with a lot of pressure but hopefully, the team can deal with the pressure and achieve their goal.
Edited by Aidan Lavin and Luke Sassa
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo; Photos from Marist Athletics
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