ALBANY, N.Y. - The Niagara softball team (20-19, 9-5 MAAC) swept in-state rival Siena (12-37, 5-9 MAAC) on Friday to take a major step into qualifying for the 2010 MAAC Tournament. The Purple Eagles outlasted the Saints, 10-7, in game one before cruising to a 6-1 win in game two, to improve their record over .500 for the first time this season.

"We were aggressive at the plate and in the field today," head coach Al Dirschberger said.

Niagara 10, Siena 7

Niagara scored 13 runs on 10 hits, while Teresa Healy and Kayla Hines combined for six of NU's nine RBIs in the game one victory. Trailing 2-1 entering the second, the Purple Eagles scored three runs from a Hines's two-run home run and a Kristin Kill's RBI double. Siena would tie the game in the bottom of the inning.

Healy broke the 4-4 tie in the fourth inning with the go-ahead two-run single to left field. In the sixth inning, Niagara scored three more runs for a 9-4, but the Saints cut the lead to 9-7 in the bottom of the inning. Healy scored her third RBI in the game with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.

Julie DiMatteo tossed a complete game to improve her record to 13-5 on the season.

Niagara 6, Siena 1

Niagara coasted to its ninth MAAC win thanks to four Saints' errors. Siena committed two errors in the second inning which lead to two runs by the Purple Eagles for a 3-0 lead after three innings.

The Purple Eagles kept their 3-0 advantage until the sixth inning when Niagara added two runs behind two more errors. Pitcher Cassie Stone lost her shutout bid in the sixth inning. Stone went the distance and struck out five Saints for her fifth win of the season.

Healy went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs and Hines went 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Niagara will play at Marist on Sunday to finish the regular season and needs one win to clinch a playoff spot.