HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Niagara University softball team (11-17) had its three-game winning streak snapped Monday when it dropped both games of a doubleheader vs. Colgate (26-11) Tuesday at Eaton Street Field.
The Purple Eagles return to action Tuesday when they play at Syracuse at 4 p.m.
Game 1 - Colgate 7, Niagara 4
The Niagara University pitching staff gave up five home runs, including two in the fifth inning, to drop a 7-4 game to Colgate.
The Purple Eagles jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first inning when freshman Lisa Baker (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca) scored on senior Cheryl Julicher’s (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville) fielder’s choice. Junior Kristina Kilian (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island) doubled to center to score senior Angie Clarke (Grafton, Ont.), and then freshman Nicole Sum (Burnaby, B.C.) scored Julicher with a sacrafice bunt.
Niagara scored again in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead when sophomore Shannon Mongalise (Bethel Park, Pa.) doubled to left center and then scored on a single by Julicher.
Colgate came alive in the third inning, scoring two runs on two hits and an error. The Red Raiders tied the game in the fourth inning with the first of the five home runs.
Colgate took a 6-4 lead with a pair of bombs in the fifth and then scored its final run in the sixth on another home run.
Baker, senior Colleen Larsen (Beiseker, Alb.), Julicher, Kilian and Mongalise had Niagara’s only hits in the game. Senior Ashleigh Barber (Kelowna, B.C.) took the loss, throwing four and a third innings and giving up seven hits, six runs, including five earned runs.
Game 2 - Colgate 7, Niagara 3
The home runs continued to fly for Colgate as it beat Niagara 7-3 in the second game of the doubleheader. The Red Raiders scored three runs in the third inning on a three-run home run. They had three bombs in the game.
The Purple Eagles fell behind early, giving up four runs before they scored in the fourth inning. Junior Jamie Horn (Youngstown, N.Y./Lewiston-Porter) knocked in the first run with a fielder’s choice and pinch runner Linzi Scarfone (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) scored the second on a ground out.
Niagara’s final two runs came in the sixth inning when Kilian hit a two-run home run. Kilian was 2 for 3 with a pair of runs batted in and a run scored.
Senior Andrea Crapo (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) took the loss, throwing three innings and giving up three hits and four unearned runs.
