Niagara (22-16, 6-6 MAAC) had crucial late inning hits from senior Melissa Markle (Orchard Park, N.Y.) in game one and from junior Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y.) in game two.

In game one, the Purple Eagles and Red Foxes were in a 0-0 stalemate entering the bottom seventh. Baker reached first base on an infield single, and then later advanced to third on an error one batter later. The game-winning run came next; Markle laid down a well-executed squeezed bunt down the third base line to score Baker to win the game, 1-0.  

Starting pitcher Michelle Krier (Kenmore, N.Y.) pitched six innings and struck out six in the no decision. Patricia Kennery (Williamsville, N.Y.) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win.

Niagara once again rallied for a win in game two. Siena scored three runs off of starting pitcher Julie DiMatteo (South Portland, Maine) for a 3-0 lead heading into the sixth inning. The Purple Eagles were making solid contact at the plate, but their shots were hit directly at Saints fielders.

One of those well hit balls led to an error that started the sixth inning rally; Teresa Healy’s (Las Vegas, Nev.) fly ball was dropped by the Siena left fielder.  Kayla Hines (Clifton Park, N.Y.) followed with a double to left field to score Healy. Seniors Heather Lohrman (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Felicia Coffey (Mesa, Ariz.) reached to fill the bases.

Baker cleared the bases with a double to centerfield to give NU its first lead of the game at 4-3; Baker would score on a wild pitch to give NU a 5-3 lead. Kennery would shut down the Saints in the seventh to win her third game this weekend.

Niagara steps out of conference play with a home game versus Youngstown State on Tuesday, April 28.