KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Niagara softball team began its season with two impressive wins on Saturday afternoon. Niagara shutout St. Bonaventure 8-0 in game one and 10-1 in game two at the Rebel Spring Games played in Kissimmee, Fla.

Niagara (2-0) played extremely well despite some hectic travel plans. The team didn’t arrive to Florida until Saturday morning and had its 9 and 11 a.m. game moved to 1 and 3 p.m. Even with the change in game time, the Purple Eagles arrived only 15 minutes before the start of game one.

The Purple Eagles’ performance showed that they were not fazed.

“I’m proud of the way the team handle things,” head coach Al Dirschberger said.

In game one, freshman Julie DiMatteo (South Portland, Maine) was given the ball and she tossed a one-hitter and struck out 10 Bonnies. Senior Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a three runs, Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) went 2-for-3 with a home run and Kayla Hines added four RBIs with a 2-for-3 game.

The offense kept on ticking in game two, knocking out three home runs, and Niagara had another strong pitching performance. Sophomore Michelle Krier (Kenmore, N.Y.) allowed two hits and struck out 10 in six innings. Kristin Sito (Elyria, Ohio), Jennifer Hare (Tonawanda, N.Y.) and Healy had a home run. Hare, who went 2-for-2, hit her home run in her first career at-bat.

Niagara will play Detroit-Mercy and Lehigh at 9 and 11 am, respectively, on Sunday.