By: Tyler Platz
Postseason softball is less than a month away with the MAAC Tournament scheduled for May 6-10. The top-eight teams in the conference qualify for the tournament. The bottom four seeds open play with a pair of single elimination games, while the remaining rounds follow a double elimination format. The tournament champion earns an automatic bid to represent the MAAC in the NCAA Tournament.
As it stands now
If the season ended today, here’s how the standings would shake out:
No. 1 Marist Red Foxes: 30-6 (7-1)
Marist has been the most dominant team in the conference with an 83.3% win percentage. Wins have come easily for the Red Foxes, powered by one of the top pitching staffs in the league – including a 2-0 mark against No. 3 Fairfield, a sweep of No. 5 Quinnipiac and lopsided wins over No. 6 Canisius.
Graduate starting pitcher Kiley Myers has continued to perform at a high level following the 2024 season in which she was named MAAC Co-Pitcher of the Year. In 2025, Myers is excelling with a sub-2.00 ERA of 1.27.
Another name in Marist’s rotation to look out for is sophomore Anna Sidlowski. The 2024 MAAC Rookie of the Year complements Myers with her 6-2 record so far this season.
Senior Maddie Pleasants rounds out the Red Foxes talented pitching core. Pleasants leads all MAAC pitchers with a 1.22 ERA. Offensively, she also has been a threat, topping the conference with a .586 batting average.
No. 2 Iona Gaels: 19-14 (13-3)
The Gaels currently hold the best record in MAAC play, and that success against familiar opponents could set them up for a head-turning postseason run. Iona has performed well on defense by limiting mistakes and taking advantage of the opportunities it’s presented.
This clean and consistent team-wide defensive effort has the Gaels ranked second in the conference in fielding at .974 – a mark that reflects their ability to stay composed. The majority of softball is mental, and Iona’s efficient, focused play against teams it knows well could be the difference in a tight postseason game.
Routine plays and no errors give Iona a shot to make a push for the MAAC title.
No. 3 Fairfield Stags: 17-19 (10-3)
The Stags’ well-rounded play makes them a solid contender to win the MAAC. Their second-place ranking in batting average (.317) and fielding percentage (.973) showcases this team’s execution on both sides of the ball.
Fairfield’s balanced attack and efficiency on offense and defense have led to a strong 10-3 conference record, making it a tough matchup in the postseason. With less than a month until the playoffs start, the Stags will look to capitalize on these strengths to stay among the top of the MAAC standings and best position themselves for a run.
No. 4 Siena Saints: 23-14 (7-3)
As cliché as the phrase “defense wins championships” is, it certainly applies to the defending MAAC champion, Siena Saints. This season, multiple Saints have maintained perfect fielding percentages, which could translate into some important wins in the postseason.
Junior Ella Milante (38) leads the team with 35 putouts and three assists. She’s joined by senior Ashley Giampolo (42) who has been consistent with 19 putouts and 23 assists on zero errors. Sophomore Chloe Cummings (28) also cracks the top 20 MAAC fielders, contributing 27 putouts and one assist with no errors as well.
No. 5 Quinnipiac Bobcats: 13-19 (8-5)
As the regular season winds down, the Bobcats gained some much-needed momentum after a three-game sweep of Mount St. Mary’s (8-31, 3-15 MAAC) over the weekend. While the sweep came against a struggling opponent, it provided Quinnipiac with a significant confidence boost.
The Bobcats have generated wins by committee, without any players ranking in the top five of major statistical categories. But if they continue building on their recent form and 8-5 conference record, they could be well-positioned for a playoff run in May.
No. 6 Canisius Griffins: 17-17 (7-5)
The Griffins know how to hit the ball. They rank second in the MAAC in both batting average and home runs. This type of offense could make them one of the more threatening lower-seeded teams in the playoffs.
Sophomore outfielder Ella Johel leads the team with a .444 batting average, and her 48 hits and 32 runs have been an integral part of the Griffins’ regular season. Her play through mid-April has helped position Canisius for a strong postseason push.
Atop the Canisius’ home run list is senior infielder Rosie Gomez and junior infielder Bailey Altorre, each with six home runs and over 20 RBIs. Their power hitting adds another layer to the Griffins’ offense, making them a tough out if the offense is rolling.
No. 7 Rider Broncos: 14-26 (8-7)
The postseason is still in play for the Broncos, even after not having the cleanest season so far. The team’s overall record may not stand out; Rider has found ways to stay competitive in the MAAC. They’re tied for second in the league in total hits (108) and lead all teams in doubles (34), consistently putting runners in scoring position.
If Rider continues to find gaps in opponents’ play and deliver timely doubles to put runners on second, they could be a survivor of the single elimination opening rounds – the kind of team nobody wants to face when bats heat up.
No. 8 Sacred Heart Pioneers: 16-19 (6-6)
As the potential bottom seed heading into the MAAC playoffs, the Pioneers have little to no expectations. Currently enduring a six game losing streak, with losses to Yale, Siena and Manhattan, Sacred Heart will have to rebound quickly in April to make the postseason and play well once there.
Inconsistency has been the issue for the Pioneers, but the upside is they have potential to put bats on the ball. Offensively, they rank third in the conference with a .305 batting average and are also among the top three teams in home runs with eight so far in 2025.
If any rhythm can be found, Sacred Heart could be a sleeper team in the postseason – one that could put the top seeds on upset watch.
Leave a Reply