BALTIMORE - The Niagara softball team split two games in the UMBC Spring Classic on Friday. The Purple Eagles won their first game, 9-2, over the Saint Joseph's Hawks before dropping an extra inning battle against the host, UMBC Retrievers, 6-5.

"We did a really nice job in the first game attacking the ball and on defense, especially with the 10-day layoff," head coach Al Dirschberger said. "In the second game we made too many mental and physical mistakes. We will continue to work hard to fix our weaknesses."

Saint Joseph's 2, Niagara 9
Niagara (4-6) used a five-run sixth inning to break open a close game in the opener of the UMBC Spring Classic. Kayla Hines' two RBI double and Jen Hare's RBI single gave the Purple Eagles a 3-2 lead after two innings. Kristin Sito led off the third inning with a home run to left field to increase NU's lead to 4-2.

Sito added her second RBI in the game with a sinlge in the fifth inning that started NU's five-run inning. Next batter, Teresa Healy, launched a two-run homer to centerfield. Maggie McDonald stole home and Jen Baker scored on an fielding error to conclude the scoring.

Cassie Stone had a complete game, striking out six while allowing three hits and one unearned run, to  improve her record to 3-2.

Niagara 5, UMBC 6
The Purple Eagles had a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh against UMBC. However, the Retrievers would get a game-tying two-run home run to tie the game at 4-4.

In the eighth inning, Baker and Healy executed on a double steal which allowed Healy to score to give NU a 5-4 lead. In UMBC's half of the inning, a fielding error led to the game-tying run and a single scored the game-winning run.

Niagara continues the classic on Saturday with an 8:45 a.m. game against Lehigh, followed with a game against Mount St. Mary's.