The Niagara softball team’s 2010 home opener against archrival Canisius on Saturday, April 3 will be the inaugural “Pitch for Pink” series between the two softball programs. The “Pitch for Pink” games are an effort to bring local awareness to breast cancer.

The softball team will be the third women’s team to promote breast health awareness through games this season.  The doubleheader will have a pink theme, just like the basketball’s “Pink Zone” game and the hockey’s “Pink the Rink” game. Niagara will don pink shirts during the game, while Canisius will wear white shirts with pink lettering. 

Several members of the softball team have family members affected by breast cancer. Junior infielder Maggie McDonald’s mother, Michelle McDonald, is a breast cancer survivor and will throw the first pitch to her daughter.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink and the team will be accepting donations throughout the game. All proceeds will be donated to the Mount St. Mary’s Hospital Breast Care Center. Those who are unable to make the doubleheader can donate online by clicking here.

“It’s a great rivalry, but what we are doing to bring attention to this cause is far more important than what we will do on the field,” Niagara head coach Al Dirschberger said. 

Niagara (6-10) has lost four of its last five games and looks to get back on the winning track after spending the past two months on the road. The Purple Eagles rank second in the conference in team batting average (.281), behind Canisius (.287).

Senior Kristin Kill ranks fifth in the MAAC with a .339 batting average and leads NU with 19 hits. 2010 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Teresa Healy leads Niagara in slugging percentage (.620), RBIs (12) and is tied with Kristin Sito in home runs (4). Niagara is also getting contribution from freshmen Alexis Wayne and Becky Zill. Wayne is batting .385 through 12 games and Zill has a .361 batting average along with 10 RBIs, which are tied for second on the team.  

The conference opening doubleheader for both teams might also decide the 2009-10 Battle of the Bridge winner. Niagara leads Canisius 16-8 and needs one point, which it can earn with one win on Saturday, to bring the Canal Cup back to Monteagle Ridge for the first time since the series inaugural season in 2006-07, when NU won 24-10.