NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Five Purple Eagles drove in runs in Niagara’s 8-1 win over Big 4 rival the Buffalo Bulls in wintery conditions from Niagara Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Niagara (19-15) had timely hits that led to runs en route to defeating the Bulls for the third-straight time. Kirstin Kill (South Portland, Maine) went 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs; Kayla Hines (Clifton Park, N.Y.) joined Kill with two RBIs.   

The Bulls (21-21) took a 1-0 lead on a solo home run in the first inning; it would be the only run Buffalo would score. In NU’s half of the first inning, Kill recorded her first RBI with a double to centerfield to score leadoff hitter Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.). Hines put the Purple Eagles up for good with a RBI single two batters later.

NU loaded the bases to knock out UB’s starting pitcher, Terese Diaz, in the third inning. The Purple Eagles added two more runs in the inning. Kill collected her third hit and second RBI in the fourth inning to put NU up 5-1.

Catcher Jen Hare (Tonawanda, N.Y.) led off the sixth inning with a towering home run to centerfield as the Purple Eagles pushed across three runs in the sixth. Julie DiMatteo (South Portland, Maine) pitched six innings, including five strikeouts, before Patricia Kennery (Williamsville, N.Y.) wrapped up the seventh giving up no hits, no runs and one strikeout.

Niagara is back in conference action this weekend with a doubleheader versus Marist on Saturday.