JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Niagara moved closer to a spot in the MAAC Tournament with a sweep of the Saint Peter’s Peahens, 12-5 and 5-4, on Saturday afternoon. The Purple Eagles belted 18 hits and 12 runs in the game one victory and rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the sixth inning to win on a walk-off single in game two.

Niagara (26-16, 8-6 MAAC) has extended its winning streak to the longest of the season at seven games. The Purple Eagles now sit one game behind fourth place Marist, who has finished its season with a 9-7 conference record.

In game one, four Purple Eagles had multiple RBIs; Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) had three RBIs, Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.), Kayla Hines (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and Jennifer Hare (Tonawanda, N.Y.) had two RBIs. Hare, the starting freshman catcher, went 4-for-4 with a career-high four hits. 

The Purple Eagles were down 3-1 heading into the bottom third. Healy tripled to right field to tie the game at 3-3. Hines followed with a RBI single to put NU up 4-3. NU would score a total of six runs in the inning. Niagara scored four runs in the fifth with RBIs from McDonald, Healy and Hines. Michelle Krier (Kenmore, N.Y.) collected her eighth win of the season.

The Purple and White found themselves trailing late in game two, before they rallied for the win; SPC took a 4-0 lead into the sixth inning. Jenna Baker (West Seneca, N.Y.) scored the first run with a single to center field to score Hines.  Hare, the next batter, would cap here 6-for-6 day by racking up her seventh RBI of the day with a three-run blast to tie the game at 4-4.

With two outs and two runners on in the seventh inning, Kristin Sito (Elyria, Ohio) singled to right field to score Kristin Kill (South Portland, Maine) from third to win the game, 5-4. Patricia Kennery (Williamsville, N.Y.) picked up the win in a relief role; she has won four games, all in her last four appearances.

Niagara concludes the regular season with a series against the Rider Broncs on Sunday afternoon. The Broncs, like the Purple Eagles and Red Foxes, are all battling for the final playoff spot.