VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Purple Eagles (4-6) won a pair this weekend at the Spartan Classic, defeating Morgan State 2-0 and then dominating St. Francis 10-2. The wins came with six home-runs over the weekend and five in one game.
In Niagara's first game taking on Morgan State, Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd inning and Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.) scored on a single by Kayla Hines (Clifton Park, N.Y.) in the 4th inning. Brook Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) pitched 7 innings allowing only 2 hits, no walks, and 6 strike outs. The Purple Eagles walked away from its first game of the weekend with a 2-0 victory.
In Niagara's second game of the weekend against St. Francis, Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Az.) led off the game with a home run on the first pitch of the game. Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y.) went 3-4 with 2 home runs, Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) went 3-4 with 2 home runs and a double, Maggie McDonald went 2-4, and Teresa Healy went 2-4 with 2 doubles. Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.) pitched 6 innings, allowing 6 hits and 2 earned runs. Cassandra Stone (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) closed out the game in the 7th inning. The 10-2 Purple Eagle win marked the fourth win of the season.
The Purple Eagles were originally slated to play five games at the Spartan Classic, but to do inclement weather, three of the games were cancelled.
"It was an impressive day at the plate today, hitting 5 home runs in the second game, 6 total home runs after sitting in the hotel for 2 days waiting for the weather to break and play games was exciting," said coach Al Dirschberger. "I was very pleased how we were able to re-focus from not practicing or playing for a period and be so productive."
Next weekend Niagara travels to College Park, MD. to compete in the Maryland Spring Break Classic on March 15-16.
