NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara softball team earned a split against archrival Canisius in its home opening doubleheader on Saturday from Niagara Field. Niagara (7-11, 1-1 MAAC) defeated Canisius (13-13, 1-1 MAAC) in a pitchers’ duel, 1-0, in game one, but fell 6-3 in game two. 

“We found what we have been searching for with staying consistent,” head coach Al Dirschberger said. “The pitchers threw very well, the defense was consistent and the hitting was aggressive. We played well against the defending MAAC champion.”

Niagara’s victory in game one of the doubleheader clinched the Battle of the Bridge series between the two schools and brought the Canal Cup back to Monteagle Ridge for the first time since the inaugural season in 2006-07.

The conference opener for both teams was also the inaugural “Pitch for Pink” series between Niagara and Canisius. The “Pitch for Pink” series is an effort to bring awareness to breast cancer.  Both programs will accept donations at each game with proceeds from today’s game going to Mount St. Mary Breast Care Center; online donations can be made here.  Niagara wore pink shirts and Canisius don white shirts with pink lettering for the special occasion.

Canisius 0, Niagara 1
Julie DiMatteo’s pitching gem paced Niagara to its first home win over Canisius since 2004. DiMatteo had a complete game three-hitter while striking out eight Golden Griffins en route to her third win of the season.

It was a defensive battle through the five innings; both teams combined for three hits.

The Purple Eagles broke through in the sixth inning. Junior Maggie McDonald led off the inning with a single to centerfield and advanced to second on a throwing error by the centerfielder. Junior Teresa Healy followed with the game-winning RBI single to centerfield to score McDonald. Niagara failed to add any more runs despite having the bases loaded on consecutive occasions before ending the inning.

Canisius got the leadoff batter to start the seventh, but DiMatteo retired the next three batters in order to end the game.

Canisius 6, Niagara 3
Canisius took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning off of junior Kayla Hines. Senior Jenna Baker led off NU’s half of the inning with double to left field and was later drove home by sophomore Jen Hare.

In the fourth inning, the Purple Eagles tied the game at 2-2 with a lead off blast over the centerfield wall by senior Kristin Kill.

Pitcher senior Cassie Stone, who entered the game in the third, was coasting along until her attempt to pick off Canisius’ Lizzy Gatto at third sailed into the outfield which scored Gatto to give the Golden Griffins a 3-2 lead.

In the seventh inning, another costly error by Niagara opened the door for Canisius. Lauren Hope reached first base on an error by Hare to start the inning. Three batters later, Katie Lancellotti hit a two out double to give Canisius a 5-2 lead. The next batter, Gatto, singled to score Canisius’ sixth run.

McDonald’s RBI double sparked Niagara’s last inning rally, but Baker struck out with runners on the corner to end the game.

Niagara is back at home on Wednesday for a doubleheader against St. Bonaventure starting at 3 p.m.