NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Niagara softball team fought back for a split against the Iona Gaels on Saturday afternoon. The Purple Eagles were on the losing end of a 3-0 decision in game one, but took game two 7-1.

Game one of the day witnessed Niagara (17-14, 2-4 MAAC) fall in a pitching duel. Freshman pitcher Julie DiMatteo (South Portland, Maine) went six innings, allowing five hits and striking out six. However, Iona (9-18, 1-5 MAAC) countered with Sarah Jackson who tossed a complete-game shutout and struck out 10.

The two pitchers mowed down batters deep into the game. The Gaels broke the scoreless deadlock with a three-run homer in their half of the sixth inning. The Purple Eagles went in order in the seventh to end the game and stranded eight runners total in the game.

Niagara wiggled itself out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning to start game two of the doubleheader. The Purple Eagles offense began to click after the first inning; Niagara took a 5-0 lead after three innings with RBIs from Kayla Hines (Clifton Park, N.Y.), Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) and Heather Lohrman (Newport Beach, Calif.).

Kristin Kill (South Portland, Maine) hit an inside the park home run in the six inning to add to Niagara’s lead.  Michelle Krier (Kenmore, N.Y.) shutout bid ended in the seventh inning; she had five strikeouts for her sixth win of the season.

Niagara will play a doubleheader at Fairfield on Sunday.