BUFFALO, N.Y. – Niagara used a seventh inning rally to defeat local rival the Buffalo Bulls, 7-3, in game one of its doubleheader at Nan Harvey Field. The Purple Eagles’ rally fell short in the tailend of the twinbill losing 6-4. 

"I thought we played well in both games against a strong team," head coach Al Dirschberger said. "We got off to a slow start in both games, but failed to comeback in the second. We have to work on getting a better start in games."

Niagara 7, Buffalo 3

Niagara (12-14) left it late to beat Buffalo (15-25) to extend its winning streak to four games against its rival. The Purple Eagles, who were trailing 3-1 entering the final inning, scored six runs in the seventh inning including five with two outs.

The Bulls opened the scoring in the first inning with a two out RBI single from Alyssa Ward. Niagara looked prone to score in the second when it put the first two runners on base and eventually loaded the bases, but failed to score.

Buffalo added its second in the third inning. Kristin Waldron tripled to left field and later scored when Jessica Griffin grounded out to Maggie McDonald. The Bulls capitalized on Niagara’s only error in the game to score their third run. Jen Hare dropped a throw at first, which would have ended the inning, to load the base. The next batter, Taylor French singled to left field to score one run.

Niagara scored the game’s final seven runs starting in the sixth inning. Senior Jenna Baker led off the sixth with home run blasted over the left field wall onto the concourse of the adjacent UB Football Stadium. 

The Purple Eagles started the seventh inning with back-to-back-to back singles from Kristin Kill, Maggie McDonald and Teresa Healy with Healy’s single scoring Kill, to cut the lead to 3-2. Kate Krauss came in to relieve starting pitcher Terese Diaz and immediately retired Kristin Sito and Baker who both lined out to short; Hare drew a walk to load the bases. Becky Zill followed with a triple to right field to clear the bases to give Niagara a 5-3 lead. Kayla Hines followed with a two run blast over the scoreboard in left center to increase NU advantage to 7-3.

Julie DiMatteo retired the Bulls in order to win her seventh win of the season. DiMatteo went 7.0 innings, had five strikeouts and allowed two earned runs.

Niagara 4, Buffalo 6

Niagara had its four-game winning streak against UB snapped.  Buffalo jumped in front early with three runs in the first and two in the second for a 5-0 lead for starting pitcher Diaz. 

The Purple Eagles scored two runs with two outs in the third inning; Baker doubled to left field to score Healy and Sito. Trailing 6-3 entering the fifth, Niagara began to chip away at the lead. Hare singled to center field which scored Baker from third. In the sixth inning, McDonald hit a solo home run to left center to cut the lead to 6-4. 

Niagara led off the seventh inning by putting two runners on base, but had the next three batters retire in order to end the game.

Baker and Hare each went 3-for-3 in the game, while Healy finished 3-for-4.

Niagara hosts MAAC foe Rider on Saturday, April 24 in a doubleheader starting at noon.