LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Niagara University softball team (25-19; 11-3 MAAC) has clinched a berth into the 2008 MAAC Tournament after defeating the Siena Saints (15-29; 5-9 MAAC) 9-0 and 3-2 on Sunday afternoon. Niagara's 25 wins sets an all new single season record for wins, while the 11 MAAC wins also is the most in a single season.

With the sweep, the Purple Eagles can finish no worse then second place, something that has head coach Al Dirschberger excited.

"It was a good weekend and we stayed focused," stated Dirschberger. "We executed when we needed to and came out with two more victories."

Niagara 9, Siena 0
The Purple Eagles came out swinging, scoring eight runs in the first three innings. Niagara loaded the bases with the first three batters of the game, as Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) singled, Kristin Sito (Elyria, Ohio) reached by error and Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) walked. Coffey would score on a wild pitch, while a Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) single would score Sito and a Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y.) sacrifice fly would score Teresa Healy. Niagara took a 3-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

Senior criminal justice major Tiffany McCrory (Albuquerque, N.M.) laid down the law, only allowing four hits in five innings pitched. Freshman Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.) singled in the fifth inning, to push her hit streak to 21 games. Tory Healy went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Coffey went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Niagara 3, Siena 2
In a tight game, Niagara trailed 1-0 until the third inning. With one out, Heidi Conlon (Lewiston, N.Y.) smacked a double, to bring up Coffey, who singled to put runners on the corners. Sito didn't waste the opportunity, as she launched her ninth home run of the year to put Niagara up 3-1.

The Saints would add a run in the fourth inning to come within one, but that is the closest they would get. McDonald singled in her third at-bat of the game, advancing her hit streak to 22 games. Sito went 1-for-2 with 3 RBIs, while Brooke Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Cassie Stone (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) picked up the save for Niagara.

The Purple Eagles look to wrap up the 2008 regular season at home, beginning with Cleveland State on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for three p.m. If you can't be there, catch all the action here.