Seeking to become the first repeat MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) softball champion since Monmouth University (2018 & 2019), Marist softball accomplished step one, taking down the Sacred Heart Pioneers, 8-3.
Exactly one month ago, the Red Foxes and the Pioneers squared off at Gartland Field, where Marist prevailed in two extra-inning games via walk-off bunts. This time, Marist took care of Sacred Heart in a traditional seven-inning affair as the sun tucked away behind the mountains in Poughkeepsie.
In what Marist head coach Joe Ausanio calls a “1A, 1B, 1C” starting rotation with graduate student pitcher Ava Metzger and redshirt sophomore pitcher Stella Blanchard, the six-time MAAC Coach of the Year selected junior pitcher/outfielder Anna Sidlowski to start against the Pioneers.
“When we played Sacred Heart earlier in the year, [Anna] did not give up a run against them. That was the mindset there,” Ausanio said.
After the Pioneers struck for two runs off junior pitcher/outfielder Anna Sidlowski in the second inning, Metzger allowed an inherited runner to score. Although she did not start the game, Metzger pitched excellently out of the bullpen; she tossed 5.2 scoreless innings in her first career postseason game.
“Joe told us the plan all along,” said Metzger. “Before the tournament started, he said that this whole championship series was going to be a staff win.”
Graduate student infielder Haley Ahr’s unorthodox sacrifice fly to the second baseman in shallow center field gave Marist an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. The RBI — Ahr’s 201st of her illustrious career — broke a tie with former teammate Miah McDonald to make her the program’s all-time leader. Ahr was one of three Red Foxes with multiple hits; the graduate student brought in a team-high three runs.
“She’s one of the greatest that’s ever walked through here,” said Marist head coach Joe Ausanio. “My guess is that one day her number will probably be retired.”
With junior pitcher/infielder Sam Kowalski out with an apparent injury, freshman pitcher Emily Campion drew the start for the Pioneers. Campion recorded her first career save in Sacred Heart’s opening round win over Quinnipiac, but surrendered six earned runs in 2.2 innings pitched. In the five-run third inning, Campion began to fall behind in the count and put Marist in; the freshman fired two wild pitches that allowed freshman utility Livia Wiltsie to plate the inning’s final run.
After a four-hit performance against Quinnipiac, sophomore pitcher/utility Elle Leckrone poked a single to center field to leadoff the game. Sidlowski worked out of a second-and-third, one-out jam in the first inning but could not work around a 10-pitch walk drawn by sophomore infielder Kathryn Hotle. Sacred Heart used RBI singles from Leckrone, junior infielder Cierra Bender and freshman infielder Ella Stoops to take the lead.
In the bottom of the first, senior outfielder Peyton Pusey — the 2026 MAAC Player of the Year — did what she does best: create chaos. Pusey reached on an infield single to the second baseman, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and darted to third on a wild pitch.
Ahr popped one into extremely shallow center field that was corralled by the second baseman. Without hesitation, Pusey sprung off third base and slid into home plate just ahead of the tag from senior catcher Charlene Davis.
“Honestly, I expected her to score,” Ahr laughed. “She has so much speed.”
After Metzger recorded the final out of the top of the third inning, Ausanio stepped into the team huddle. The 18-year head coach — known for his reserved demeanor — emphatically brought his team together in front of the dugout to offer them words of encouragement.
In the first-at of the inning, Sidlowski — moved into the designated player position after her removal from the circle — snuck a home run just over the fence in center field to cut the deficit in half. Sidlowski’s second career home run kickstarted a five-run inning in which all nine Red Foxes tallied a plate appearance.
“I told them we need to have better approaches and we need to look for good pitches to hit,” Ausanio said. “I felt like we were swinging at some bad pitches and in need of a different mindset.”
In the frame, Marist continued their excellence with two outs; the final four runs scored in the inning came with two outs. Ahr worked a four-pitch walk, setting the stage for sophomore pitcher/utility Sienna Kunze. Kunze sent a game-tying RBI single into left field, and freshman utility Livia Wiltsie plopped an RBI double just out of the reach of senior outfielder Kaelyn Freed in center. The softball was corralled by Barbera in right field, but her throw went awry, allowing Kunze to scamper home to give Marist a 5-3 lead.
Later in the inning, Wiltsie reached third and eventually scored on two wild pitches to cap the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Ahr provided Metzger with more insurance; her two-out, two-RBI single to center field allowed Metzger to coast through the final inning and lock down the victory.
Blanchard is set to start in the circle Friday when Marist faces Iona in the winner’s bracket final. On April 3, Blanchard pitched a complete game, only allowing one run on four hits against the Gaels. First pitch is 11:15 am.
Edited by Hayden Shapiro
Photo from Jaylen Rizzo
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