Senior Shannon Mongalise had two hits vs. Fairfield last season. |
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University softball team (21-15, 3-3) looks to gain ground in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings this weekend when it hosts Fairfield University (27-20-1, 5-3) and Iona College (8-22, 2-2) at Niagara Field. The Purple Eagles and Stags meet for a noon doubleheader Saturday, and the Gaels are on Monteagle Ridge for a noon doubleheader Sunday.
Currently in fourth place in the latest league standings, Niagara needs a solid weekend to keep pace with the top teams in Marist (7-1), Canisius (5-1) and Fairfield (5-3).
The Purple Eagles’ offense rebounded Wednesday as they averaged seven runs, 6.5 hits, 6.5 RBI, hit .302 and had a team earned-run average of 1.17.
MAAC Freshman of the Year candidate Jennifer Yee (North Delta, B.C.) continues to lead the MAAC and team in hitting (.475). She also tops the squad in hits (48), runs (29), home runs (8) and stolen bases (9). The shortstop has a .812 slugging percentage and .518 on-base percentage.
First team All-MAAC candidate Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) continues to have a solid season. The sophomore is second in hitting (.380), runs (25), hits (38), while leading the team in doubles (11), home runs (8) and RBI (32).
On the mound, the sophomore duo of Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.) and Brooke Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) have seen the majority of the action this year. McCrory has a team-best 2.19 ERA and 10-7 record in 18 appearances. Viola sports a 3.63 ERA and 6-5 record in 15 appearances.
Fairfield enters the weekend with a two-game winning streak after losing two to Providence Tuesday. The Stags have won their last five MAAC games.
Sophomore Erin Frank leads the team in hitting (.403), doubles (13), home runs (9) and RBI (38).
Senior Tara Hansen tops the squad in runs (36) and stolen bases (14-15). The right-hander also has a 3.04 ERA and 6-9 record in 18 appearances on the mound. Junior Cagney Ringnalda has a 2.88 ERA and 11-3 record in 20 appearances.
Iona has lost seven of its last eight games, including doubleheaders vs. Rider and Saint Peter’s.
Junior Alyson Funn leads the Gaels with a .424 batting average. She also has team-bests in hits (39), doubles (5), RBI (15) and stolen bases (5-7).
On the mound, sophomore Becky Riccitelli has a 3.50 ERA and 4-8 record in 16 appearances. Classmate Amanda Glaser is 2-5 with a 4.04 ERA in 11 appearances.
Last year, Niagara lost both series to Fairfield and Iona on the road. The last time the Purple Eagles beat the Stags and Gaels was 2004 on Monteagle Ridge.
