May 14, 2006

Final Stats |  Photo Gallery

Fairfield, Conn. - The Marist softball team's dream season (33-11/12-4 MAAC) will continue with a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Sophomore sensation Megan Rigos (Pittsburgh, Pa.) pitched her third-straight complete game to lead second-seeded Marist to a 1-0 victory over fourth-seeded Fairfield for the program's first-ever MAAC Championship win. The Red Foxes scored their lone run in the first inning when senior captain Jasmery Polanco (Bay Shore, N.Y.) hit an RBI single following a triple by rookie Melissa Giordano (Stamford, Conn.).

Rigos allowed just four hits and struck out six in the shutout victory. The Red Foxes made short work of the Stags in the critical seventh inning including a beautiful catch at the right-center field wall by rookie Mary Beth Pomes (Milford, Pa.).

Marist benefited from a true team effort throughout the tournament and five Red Foxes received All-Tournament Team honors including: Polanco, catcher; Rigos, pitcher and seniors Katie Eskin (Edison, N.J.), infield; Bridget Hurlman (Yonkers, N.Y.), designated player and Chrystine McHugh (Port Ewen, N.Y.), infield. McHugh, the 2006 MAAC Player of the Year, was named MAAC Tournament MVP for her efforts in Marist's 3-0 sweep of the tournament field.

On Saturday, Head Coach Melissa Tucci's squad defeated third-seeded Rider, 9-4 in the opening game of the tournament and then took out fourth-seeded Fairfield, 4-3 to advance to the final. The Stags had a pair of upset wins over Regular Season Champions Canisius and Rider to advance to the MAAC Final.

The Red Foxes are headed to the Tucson Regional for the NCAA Tournament and will face #2 seed Arizona (44-9) in the first round. Auburn and Ohio State will also play in the regional.