Griffs looking to extend win streak during spring break

By Ian Caskie, Sports Reporter

Spring break is finally here, but for Canisius softball, the work keeps on coming. The softball team is coming off of an impressive showing at the Penn State Invitational, where the offense exploded for double-digit runs in their final three games. 

After losses to MAAC rival Fairfield and tournament host Penn State on the first day of the invitational, Canisius ended the second day having scored 25 runs across 12 innings. The team poured 15 runs on Lafayette in only five innings, with infielders Emily Ilano, Bailey Alatorre and Rosie Gomez all homering on the Griffs’ way to a 15-hit day. 

The Golden Griffins then went on to pick up a win against the Fairfield Stags, splitting their head-to-head matchups at the tournament. Ella Johel continued to show power at the plate with a grand slam in the sixth, and Alatorre joined the party in the seventh, smashing a three-run go-ahead homer. It was freshman Mikaila Obenrader’s game from there, pitching a scoreless 12 outs in relief to pick up both of Canisius’ wins on the day, ending with an impressive statline of eight K’s and four hits across six scoreless innings of work. Those wins became the first two of her collegiate career.

Canisius refused to give the Lafayette Jaguars their first win of their campaign on the final day of the tournament, as the Griffs put in full effort at the plate in an 11-run performance. The outfield continued their explosive start to the campaign, combining for seven hits, six runs and five RBI, ending the tournament totalling 17 runs, 21 hits and 16 RBI. 

The Griffs also saw standout performances from their corner infielders Emily Ilano (3B) and Rebecca Hai (1B). After a slow start to the 2025 campaign, Ilano ended the tournament with a  .500 average in 16 plate appearances, finishing with two homers and six total RBI. Hai also found her stride in Happy Valley, compiling five hits, three RBI and a home run across 12 trips to the plate.

The team is now looking to the harbors of Baltimore, where they will join Lehigh, Colgate and UMBC at the UMBC Spring invite this weekend, March 15 and 16. They then return to Buffalo for their first matchups at the Demske Sports Complex against WNY rival Mercyhurst on March 18, and St. Bonaventure on March 20.

Photo courtesy of Ken Morey