VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – For the second day in a row, the Niagara University softball team (2-6) split a pair of games at the Norfolk State Dixie Classic in Virginia Beach, Va.

The Purple Eagles lost 4-1 to Norfolk State, but shutout Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent Marist College, 5-0.

Niagara returns to action Sunday when it plays a doubleheader vs. Binghamton University beginning at 9 a.m.

Norfolk State 4, Niagara 1

Niagara was unable to get the timely hit as it stranded runners in scoring positions in the third, fourth and sixth innings.

The Purple Eagles scattered five hits on the day, and junior Melissa Markle (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca West) had an RBI double down the left field line in the sixth inning.

Junior Brooke Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) took the loss on the mound, giving up five hits and striking out eight.

Niagara 5, Marist 0

Junior Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.) threw a two-hitter with five strikeouts to help Niagara post its second shutout of the season.

The Purple Eagles scored first when senior Lisa Baker (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca West) singled, moved to second on a sacrifice by freshman Kristin Kill (South Portland, Maine) and then scored on junior Tory Healy’s (Las Vegas, Nev.) double to right field.

Niagara took a 3-0 in the third inning when freshman Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca West) doubled to left centerfield, Lisa Baker moved her to third on a sacrifice. Kill then got on base on an error, sophomore Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) was then hit by a pitch and Healy then hit a two-run single to left centerfield.

Kill singled to open play in the fifth inning, and Healy then hit her second double of the game to score Kill.

Senior Ashley Bognar (Tonawanda, N.Y./Cardinal O’Hara) hit a solo home run in the sixth for the Purple Eagles’ fifth run.