FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University softball team begins its quest for the 2009 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) on Thursday in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on the campus of Marist College The top-seed Stags take on fourth-seeded Niagara University at 3 pm. The first game features second-seeded Manhattan College against third-seeded Canisius College at 1 pm.

Fairfield and Manhattan split a doubleheader on Monday which resulted in the two teams being declared regular season co-champions. Both teams finished the MAAC slate with 11-5 records. Canisius and Niagara both finished the MAAC schedule with 9-7 records. Niagara earned its bid to the tournament this afternoon with a split against Rider University. The two teams were scheduled to play on Sunday, but rained forced the twinbill to be rescheduled to this afternoon.

The two winners of Thursday's game will play at 11 am on Friday, while the two losers will match up at 1 pm resulting one team being eliminated from the double-elimination tourney. The loser of the 11 am game will take on the winner of the 1 pm game beginning at 3 pm. The loser of the 3 pm game will also be eliminated from the tournament.

On Saturday, the two remaining teams will face off for the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The first game is slated for noon. If necessary, a second game will be played at 2 pm.

Tickets for the tournament are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

2009 MAAC Softball Tournament Schedule
Host: Marist College - Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Thursday, May 7
Game 1 - #2 Manhattan vs. #3 Canisius - 1 pm
Game 2 - #1 Fairfield vs. #4 Niagara - 3 pm

Friday, May 8
Game 3 - Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 11 am
Game 4 - Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 - 1 pm
Game 5 - Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 - 3 pm

Saturday, May 9
Game 6 - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 - Noon
Game 7 - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 (if necessary) - 2 pm