JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Niagara University softball team (24-23, 6-10) ended its 2006 season Sunday afternoon, losing both games of a doubleheader at Saint Peter’s (23-24-1, 5-11). The Purple Eagles lost 7-6 and 6-2. They finish the year with a school record 24 wins.
Saint Peter’s 7, Niagara 6
Niagara scored five runs in the seventh but it wasn’t enough to come back from a 7-1 deficit.
In the seventh, junior Nicole Sum (Burnaby, B.C.) hit an RBI single to center field to score pinch runner Nikki Rudy (Port McNeill, B.C.). Sophomore Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) then single down the left field line to plate junior Lisa Baker (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca West) and Sum. Freshman Jennifer Yee (North Delta, B.C.) then scored on a ground out, but Niagara couldn’t get its other three runs home.
The Purple Eagles scored first in the opener when Baker hit her third home run of the season.
Saint Peter’s took a 3-1 lead when Melissa Andrews hit an RBI single and Michelle Casares collected a two-run double.
The Peahens scored again in the third when Julie Saporito singled, moved third on a double by Andrews and scored on a single by Meg Papierniak.
In the fourth, Saint Peter’s scored again, taking advantage of two Niagara errors.
Two more Peahen runs in the fifth came on an RBI single and sacrifice fly.
Senior Kelly Flaherty (Hastings, N.Y.) was 3-for-4 and Yee 2-for-4. Sophomore Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.) took the loss, giving up seven hits, five earned runs, four walks and striking out two.
Saint Peter’s 6, Niagara 2
Niagara could only manage two runs in its final game of the season.
The Purple Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the first when Yee reached on a fielder’s choice, went to second on another fielder’s choice, stole third and then scored on an RBI single by senior Shannon Mongalise (Bethel Park, Pa.).
Saint Peter’s came back with three runs, including a two-run triple by Andrews.
The Peahens added three more runs in the fourth on two hits and an error.
Niagara’s final run came in the fifth when Sum singled to left field, moved to second on a ground out and scored on an RBI single down the right field line by Yee.
Baker was 3-for-4 and Sum 2-for-4. Freshman Katie Gleiser (Cheektowaga, N.Y./Maryvale) took the loss, giving up six hits, three earned runs, three walks and striking out three.
