RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Niagara University softball team opened up MAAC play on Sunday afternoon with a sweep against the Manhattan Jaspers. The Purple Eagles rode a late inning surge to an 8-6 victory in game one, while they cruised to an 8-1 victory in game two. The Purple Eagles now sit at 13-13 (2-0 MAAC) overall.

Head coach Al Dirschberger was happy on how his team performed in the MAAC opener, as the conference games are very important.

“I am impressed with how we handled ourselves today,” stated Dirschberger. “The way we battled back to win the first game is a characteristic of a strong team, especially since we are rather young.

Niagara 8, Manhattan 6

With a 1-1 game heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Jaspers put five on the board to take a 6-1 lead, a lead that wouldn’t last. The next half inning saw Niagara come back to tie the game on a rather unique sequence. Sophomore Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y.) hit a double to put runners on second and third with the score 6-4. With the next batter up, a ball got by Jasper catcher Amanda Genovese, allowing one run to come across and Baker to move to third. Baker then decided to try for home since it was unattended and slid in safely to tie the game at six late.

The game then headed into extra innings and Niagara wasted little time. The Purple Eagles scored twice in the top of the eight and was able to hold off the Jaspers for the extra inning victory. Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) went 4-5 in the come from behind effort.

Niagara 8, Manhattan 1

The second game didn’t have as much intrigue, as the Purple Eagles held the lead the whole way. Baker doubled to lead off the second inning, with Heidi Conlon (Lewiston, N.Y.) drawing a walk for runners on first and second base with two outs. Freshman Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.) ripped the ball for a triple, scoring Baker and Conlon.

Holding a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning, the Purple Eagles needed some breathing room. Five walks and a McDonald double spurred the Purple Eagles, as the McDonald double scored three for Niagara, giving them the 8-1 lead. The Purple Eagles shut the door on the Jaspers in the bottom half of the inning to complete the sweep. McDonald went 2-4 in the second game, with four RBIs.

The Purple Eagles will not have long between games, as they head to New Jersey to take on Saint Peter’s at one p.m. on Monday, before playing a non-conference match against Syracuse on Tuesday.