BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Niagara softball team (5-9) were swept by the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (11-7) in a  doubleheader on Saturday. The Purple Eagles dropped the first game 8-0 and lost the second 8-5.

"It was a very disappointing day," head coach Al Dirschberger said. "We continue to struggle with consistency, but we are going to keep working hard tomorrow."

Niagara 0, Lehigh 8
The Mountain Hawks scored six runs in the first two innings in a game that Niagara never got going. Lehigh scored three in the first and second innings while Niagara was held to three hits through the first three innings; the Purple Eagles only had four hits in the game.

Senior Cassie Stone (3-5) lasted 2.0 innings, striking out two and allowing three earned runs. Junior third baseman Kayla Hines made her pitching debut, tossing 2.0 innings and allowed three hits and two earned runs.

Niagara 5, Lehigh 8
After trailing 5-0 through five innings, the Purple Eagles used a five-run sixth inning to tie the game at 5-5. 

Jennifer Hare started the rally with a base loaded walk. Freshman Alexis Wayne followed with RBI single which scored Maggie McDonald. Kristin Kill, the next batter, cleared the bases with a double to centerfield to tie the game at 5-5.

In its half of the sixth, Lehigh would capitalize on pitching miscues by Laynie Stillman, who replaced starting pitcher Julie DiMatteo at the start of the inning. The Mountain Hawks' game-winning run came on a wild pitch by Stillman and two more runs were credited to the senior.

Niagara managed only one base runner in the final inning.

The Purple Eagles and Mountain Hawks will play another doubleheader on Sunday starting at noon.