Sophomore Lisa Baker was 4 for 4 with a double in the Purple Eagles' season opener Friday.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Freshman Brooke Viola (Los Alamito, Calif.) pitched a two-hit shutout in her collegiate debut to help the Niagara University softball team (1-0) to an 8-0 victory in its season opener vs. St. Francis (N.Y.) Friday morning at the UMBC Spring Classic.

Viola struck out three hitters and gave up hits in the third and fifth innings.

Offensively, Niagara was led by sophomore Lisa Baker (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca) who was 4 for 4 with a double. Junior Shannon Mongalise (Bethel Park, Pa.) was 2 for 4, sophomore Nicole Sum (Burnaby, B.C.) 2 for 3 with an RBI, freshman Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) was 2 of 4 with two RBI.

The Purple Eagles return to action Saturday when they play the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore at 9:30 p.m.