Niagara University, N.Y. — The Niagara University women’s softball team hosted their first home doubleheader of the year against Youngstown State University on April 5. The losing drought continues for the Purple Eagles as they were defeated both games, bringing their losing streak to 11. Todays matchup was a non-conference contest.
Niagara started game one with Jennifer Szilagyi on the mound but Youngstown came out aggressive. The Penguins got on base early and scored two runs off a homer by Maria Lacatena in the first inning. The Purple Eagles had a chance to bring in runs in the bottom of the second with bases loaded but failed to convert.
The score stayed at 2-0 until Youngstown State capitalized again in the top of the fourth with a solo homer by Maddi Lusk. The Penguins continued to take charge offensively as the lead was extended to 4-0 in the seventh with an RBI single from Hannah Lucas.
Niagara had one last opportunity in the bottom of the seventh with bases loaded, but only managed to score one run. The Purple Eagles lost, 4-1.
Sierra Bertrand, of Niagara, would take the mound for the start of game two.
Bertrand came out throwing heat with nine strikeouts in the first four innings. In just the first inning, following a leadoff hit, she struck out three consecutive batters swinging.
Offensively, the Purple Eagles came out determined to strike early with a pair of hits from Jennifer Timm and Bridget Hogan. Brianna Clark would sacrifice singling out at first which brought in Timm from third giving Niagara a 1-0 lead by the end of first inning.
Youngstown persisted in the fourth inning as third baseman Stevie Taylor crushed a triple and brought in an RBI to tie the game.
Hogan would put Niagara ahead by one in the fifth inning with a single in which Sarah March scored from.
After a desperate attempt to hold on, Youngstown showed resiliency at the top of the final inning, scoring two runs off a game-winning double by Brittney Moffatt. Niagara would not have an answer in their last chance, going three up, three down to lose the game in a painful defeat, 3-2.
The women of Niagara hope to break through the temporary slump this weekend, as they will host Saint Peters University and Manhattan College, both MAAC conference games. The Purple Eagles will play Saint Peters at noon on Saturday, Apr. 8, and Manhattan at 11 A.M on Sunday, Apr. 9.
Niagara Wire 