Freshman Jennifer Yee had a double Wednesday vs. Syracuse.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Niagara University softball team (16-12) ran into a red-hot Syracuse University team (24-15), losing 13-0 and 6-0 Wednesday afternoon at Syracuse Softball Stadium.

The Purple Eagles, who have lost their last five games, return to action April 17 when they continue their four-game road trip with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at St. Francis (Pa.).

Syracuse 13, Niagara 0 (5)

Erin Downey threw a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts to lead Syracuse to series-opening win.

The Orange collected 17 hits off of sophomore Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.).

Syracuse scored eight runs in the first inning when it collected nine hits, including a grand slam home run by Danielle Stuart.

The Orange took a 10-0 lead in the second inning when Alexis Switenko doubled to left center and Amy Kelley hit a two-run home run to left center.

Niagara’s best chance at scoring came in the top of the fourth when freshman Jennifer Yee (North Delta, B.C.) led off with a double to right center, moved to third on a single to left field by sophomore Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.), but then was thrown out at the plate.

Syracuse scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth when it collected five hits and scored on an error.

Syracuse 6, Niagara 0

A second two-hitter for Syracuse gave the Orange the nightcap.

Switenko gave up two hits to freshman Heather Lohrman (Newport Beach, Calif.), but struck out seven to earn her ninth win of the season.

Syracuse homered in the second inning and Cassie Morales hit a RBI triple in the third to take a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, Lohrman singled to left field and advanced two bases to third on a passed ball, but Niagara couldn’t score the rookie.

The Orange scored three more runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth.

Sophomore Brooke Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) took the loss, giving up eight hits and six earned runs while striking out three.