BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Niagara University softball team (12-14, 6-4) earned a split vs. Canisius College (19-19, 7-4) Tuesday in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Demske Sports Complex. The Purple Eagles won the first game, 2-0, but dropped game two, 4-1.

Freshman Kristin Kill (South Portland, Maine) was 2-for-5, junior Melissa Markle (Orchard Park, N.Y./West Seneca West) was 2-for-6 and junior Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) had an RBI double in the doubleheader.

Niagara returns to action Wednesday when it hosts instate rival Syracuse in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Niagara Field

Game 1 - Niagara 2, Canisius 0

Junior Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.) threw a two-hitter and picked up her third shut out of the season. The right hander struck out eight and walked one for her fifth win of the season.

Healy opened the second inning with a double to center field. Senior Lisa Baker (West Seneca, N.Y./West Seneca West) singled to right field to plate Healy and put Niagara up 1-0.

Senior Nicole Sum (Burnaby, B.C.) doubled to right center in the top of the fourth, advanced to third on a passed ball and then scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Healy.

Game 2 - Canisius 4, Niagara 1

Kill went 2-for-2 at the plate but it wasn’t enough as Canisius pounded out nine hits and scored three times in the first inning.

The Golden Griffins took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Jamie Gerace and Katie Miranto had back-to-back doubles down the left field line, Cameron Norton doubled to center field and Jess Martin doubled down the left field line.

Canisius pushed its lead to 4-0 in the second when Brittany Bonetto scored on a throwing error after getting on base with a base with a double to right field.

Niagara’s lone run came in the fourth when Baker walked, moved to third on Markle’s single down the left field line and then scored on a Canisius’ throwing error.

Junior Brooke Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) took the loss, throwing six innings and giving up nine hits and striking out five.