VESTAL, N.Y. – The Niagara softball team got behind early, but scored six unanswered runs to win its fifth game in six outings, as they defeated the Binghamton Bearcats 6-2 on Thursday afternoon. The win places the Purple Eagles at 10-12 on the year.

Head coach Al Dirschberger was pleased with his team’s performance against the Bearcats.

“I was impressed with how we were able to work through the inclement weather,” stated Dirschberger. “We kept focused on the task at hand and ended up with the win.”

After the Bearcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, the Purple Eagles quickly responded in the top of the third. Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) singled, advancing to second on a pass ball. After Kristin Sito (Elyria, Ohio) reached first via error, Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) drew a walk, loading the bases. With two outs, Jenna Baker’s (West Seneca, N.Y.) clutch single scored both Coffey and Sito to tie the game at two.

The fourth inning was also kind to the Purple Eagles, as they increased their lead. With Kristin Kill (South Portland, ME.) on first via a walk, Heidi Conlon (Lewiston, N.Y.) singled, for runners on first and second with no outs. Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.) laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position, as Kill would come around on a single by Coffey. Niagara then utilized a double steal as Coffey successfully stole second base, while Conlon made it home unscathed for the 4-2 lead.

Up 4-2 in the seventh inning, the Purple Eagles got two insurance runs against the Bearcats. With runners on second and third, Heather Lohrman (Newport Beach, Ca.) doubled, bringing around two more runs.

Katie Gleiser (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) got the win, pitching five scoreless innings, without allowing a hit. Between Gleiser and starter Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.), the Bearcats were held to a hit, while the two hurlers combined to strike out four. Coffey finished three for three on the day with an RBI.

The Purple Eagles next take to the diamond on Tuesday, April 1, as they travel to take on Youngstown State in a doubleheader.