FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Niagara softball team fell in defeat 6-0 against the Marist Red Foxes (23-29) in an elimination game in the 2008 MAAC Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The loss finishes Niagara's season at 27-21.

Head coach Al Dirschberger saw his team put forth a valiant effort, but ultimately fell short at the MAAC Tournament in Connecticut.

"We hung tough today, but lost to a tough Marist team," stated Dirschberger. "We had a great year, but we have plenty to work on to make the 2009 season better."

Everything was ok until the bottom of the second inning, where Marist was threatening to put runs on the board. With starter Brooke Viola (Los Alamitos, Calif.) facing a bases loaded situation, the Red Foxes scored two runs via a single and a sacrifice fly to go up 2-0 after two innings of play.

Errors hurt the Purple Eagles, as Marist would add four more runs between the third and fourth innings to open up a 6-0 lead after four innings of play. Niagara had two of its four hits come during the fifth inning or later in the game. Hits by Kristin Kill (South Portland, Maine) and Tory Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) looked to give Niagara the spark they needed, but ultimately they fell short. Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) went 1-for-2 on the day.

Marist advances to play Fairfield in game five of the MAAC Tournament, with the winner to play Canisius for all the marbles tomorrow.