POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – There is an old adage that hitting is contagious. But what about pitching?
 
The Marist softball team votes yes.
 
Since returning from its Spring Break trip out wets, the Red Foxes have won 11 out of 14 games, including seven out of eight against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponents. In this stretch, the Red Foxes' pitching staff of Megan Beiermeister, Kallen Leeseberg, Brooke Peterson, Calista Phippen, and Nicole Teague has combined for a 1.56 earned run average, and 100 strikeouts in 94 innings.
 

Precocious Freshman

In her first collegiate season, Phippen is 12-2 with a 1.15 ERA and two saves. She has struck out 124 in 103.1 innings. Her ERA ranks 12^th in the nation.
 
Phippen has been named MAAC Pitcher of the Week twice this season, and MAAC Rookie of the Week twice. She is the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week after posting a 35-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 innings.
 

Wily Veteran

Beiermeister is among the top pitchers in program history, ranking fifth in wins (41), fifth in ERA (2.71), seventh in appearances (88), 10^th in strikeouts (196), and 10^th in innings pitched (349).
 
Since March 27, Beiermeister is 3-0 with a save and an 0.82 ERA in six appearances.
 

Kallen, With Lots of Ks

The opposition has struggled to hit senior Kallen Leeseberg, who has 44 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. Her batting average against this season is just .182. On March 27, Leeseberg took a perfect game into the seventh inning at Holy Cross, and finished with a one-hitter and 10 strikeouts.
 
Leeseberg's 236 career strikeouts rank 10^th in program history.
 

Best Of Brooke

Senior Brooke Peterson has given the Red Foxes a lift in her recent appearances. Over the course of her last two starters, Peterson has not given up an earned run in seven innings. During this span, she has given up just four hits, and has not allowed a walk.
 

Big Game Nicole

Sophomore Nicole Teague has been limited due to injury recently, but has displayed the ability to perform her best in big moments. Last year in the MAAC Championships, she earned All-Tournament Team honors after not allowing an earned run in two complete game victories.
 
For more on the Red Foxes' pitches, please click on the attached video.
 
Marist (22-17 overall, 7-1 MAAC) returns to action on Saturday with a home conference doubleheader against Siena. First pitch of game one is now set for 2 p.m.
 

About Siena

• The Saints enter the contest at 9-15 overall and 2-2 in MAAC play.
• Most recently, Siena split a home non-conference doubleheader against Holy Cross on Wednesday.
• Madysen Cossack is hitting .446 with four homers and 22 RBIs. Isabelle DeChiaro is hitting .390 with three homers and 17 RBIs.
• Brooke Hughes leads the Siena pitching staff in wins (four), ERA (3.85), and innings pitched (56.1). Maddie McMahon has a team-high 37 strikeouts in 49 innings.
• Head coach Bill Lajeunesse is in his ninth season.