The Quinnipiac softball team is set to play a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series against Manhattan University at the QU Softball Field in Hamden, Conn., with games scheduled for April 3 and April 4.
This matchup is significant as it features the Bobcats, who are currently off to their best start in conference play since joining the MAAC, holding an 11-3 record. The series will also provide both teams an opportunity to improve their standings within the conference.
Manhattan enters the weekend with an overall record of 8-22 and a conference record of 4-7. The Jaspers are led by Sophia Kiseloski, who tops her team in batting average (.328), OPS (.874), doubles (8), home runs (4), and RBIs (34). Pitcher Karissa Spring has started 27 games for Manhattan this season, pitching a total of 150 innings with a 4.71 ERA and recording 87 strikeouts.
For Quinnipiac, Sofia Vega has been performing strongly at bat, hitting .467 over recent games against Merrimack and Rider. Vega leads her team in batting average (.427), OPS (1.082), runs scored (19), and triples (3). Senior Mary Fogg has recorded hits in most games this season and was previously named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team after leading last year’s squad in several categories. Riley Potter has also contributed consistently on offense.
Head coach Hillary Smith enters her eighth season leading Quinnipiac. She named seniors Natalia Apatiga, Kennedy DeMott, and Sofia Vega as captains for this season—all three ranked among last year’s top hitters for the Bobcats. Six new players have joined Quinnipiac’s roster this year while sixteen return from last season’s team that finished conference play at 14-11—its best MAAC finish in eight years.
The outcome of this series could influence playoff positioning as both teams look to build momentum heading into the latter part of their schedules.
