|
Tory Healy
|
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Niagara University softball team finished a stretch of six games in three days on a bad note, dropping a doubleheader against Syracuse by scores of 6-4 and 2-1. Niagara now sits at 14-16 overall (3-1 MAAC), while the Orange improve to 14-19 overall (5-3 Big East).
Head coach Al Dirschberger saw his team tested today in two back and forth games that were competitive right to the end.
“We had our opportunities to win two very close games,” stated Dirschberger. “We played two solid games today, but we came out on the short end.”
Syracuse 6, Niagara 4
The first half of the doubleheader saw Niagara get on the board first, after Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y.) launched her 11th home run of the year, which ties her with Jennifer Yee for the single season home run record. The 1-0 lead wouldn’t last as the Orange scored five in the bottom half of the inning to take a 5-1 lead.
Niagara came storming back in the third inning by playing small ball. After singles by Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) and Kristin Sito (Elyria, Ohio), Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.). Tory Healy singled to right field scoring Sito, as a sacrifice fly by Baker would draw Niagara within two. Teresa Healy would eventually score via an error by the pitcher to make it 5-4 half way through the game.
Syracuse added one more run in the bottom of the sixth to drive the score to 6-4. Tory Healy went 4 for 4 with an RBI, while Baker finished the game going 2 for 3 with two RBIs.
Syracuse 2, Niagara 1
The second game quickly turned into a pitchers duel with both teams struggling to score. Syracuse finally broke through in the third inning, taking the 1-0 lead. The Purple Eagles kept searching for the equalizer as one of their best chances came in the fifth inning. Jamie Constantz (Endicott, N.Y.) led off the fifth with a walk and moved over to second base on Coffey’s sacrifice bunt. Teresa Healy then singled up the middle to bring the tying run over to third base, but Tory Healy was retired by flying out to center field.
Niagara finally broke through in the sixth inning, as Baker drew a lead off walk. Laynie Stillman (Homer, N.Y.) lined out next, but Baker advanced to second on an error by the pitcher. With Baker on second base, Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.) singled to right field, bringing around Baker and tying the score at one.
Syracuse took the 2-1 advantage as the Purple Eagles headed into the top of the seventh inning, as Niagara failed to tie the game in the final inning.
Niagara will get a few days off before returning to the diamond to open the home portion of their schedule this weekend as they host Iona and Fairfield.
