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Jamie Constantz
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JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Niagara University softball team continued MAAC play on Monday afternoon splitting with the Saint Peter’s Peahens (1-21, 1-3 MAAC). The Peahens blanked Niagara in game one via a 3-0 margin, while Niagara returned the favor with a 9-0 victory in game two. The Purple Eagles now sit at 14-14 (3-1 MAAC) overall, which places them near the top of the conference.
Head coach Al Dirschberger was happy to see his team make adjustments after a disappointing first game to come back stronger in the second game.
“We couldn’t get timely hits in the first game,” stated Dirschberger. “We made adjustments in the second game, played stronger and hit the ball better.”
Saint Peter's 3, Niagara 0
The first game saw the Purple Eagles look to break the game wide open early. In the top of the first inning Kristin Sito (Elyria, Ohio), Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) all singled to load the bases with one out. With the Purple Eagles poised to score, the Peahens got out of the jam by retiring Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y.) and Heather Lohrman (Newport Beach, Calif.). Saint Peter’s jump out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning, a lead they would not give up.
The Peahens added two more runs in the fourth inning, which the Purple Eagles looked to match in the fifth inning. Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) singled to left field and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. A Teresa Healy single created a situation with runners on the corners, with two outs. Niagara could not take advantage of the situation, as the inning ended before Niagara could score. Teresa Healy went two for three in the first game for Niagara, while Saint Peter’s hurler Tricia Reingle pitched a complete scoreless game, fanning nine.
Niagara 9, Saint Peter's 0
The second game saw was rather different from the game played just before it, this time with Niagara taking the early advantage. In the top of the third inning, Coffey got on via error and advanced to second base because of a walk to Sito. Coffey advanced to third base on a pop out by Teresa Healy. Tory Healy would then single up the middle to bring Coffey home and for the 1-0 lead.
Niagara clung to a 1-0 lead until the fifth inning, where the Purple Eagles would go on to score eight runs in two innings. The scoring rally was highlighted by Baker’s 10th home run of the season, which gave Niagara the 4-0 lead. Baker’s 10 long balls is just one short of Niagara’s single season home run record, set by Jennifer Yee.
Tory Healy went two for four in the second game, while Lohrman went two for two. Brooke Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) pitched a gem of a game against the Peahens, striking out seven and scattering three hits in the complete game effort.
The Purple Eagles will finish off a frantic early April schedule that sees them play six games in three days on Tuesday, as Niagara travels to take on Syracuse at 4 p.m.
