Box Score Vs. UTM
Box Score Vs. UTC

CHATTANOOGA, TENN. - The Niagara softball team (0-2) hung tough against University of Tennessee-Martin and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga on Friday, but ultimately fell in defeat by 6-3 and 5-3 margins, respectively.

"We played well today for being our first games of the season," head coach Al Dirschberger said. "I thought we hit the ball well and hung tight in both games, but ultimately some defensive miscues hurt us in both games. If we can clean up the miscues, I think we will be a tough team to play against."


Tennessee-Martin 6, Niagara 3

After the Skyhawks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, the Purple Eagles would take a 3-1 lead off the bat of junior catcher Becky Zill. With freshman Ambur Farmer on second base after a walk and fellow rookie Amanda Werth on first base via a single, Zill hit her first home run of the season  over the right field wall. 

UT-Martin would tie the game in quick fashion in the top of the fifth inning, with lead-off batter Kayla Wade getting on base via a single, only to score when Leah Taylor smacked a home run over the center field wall in the next at-bat. 

The Skyhawks would score three runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull away with the victory. A Morga Lewis double scored two for a 5-3 lead for the Skyhawks, adding one more run on a sacrifice bunt one batter later.

Senior pitcher Julie DiMatteo went the distance for the Purple Eagles, allowing six runs and striking out two batters. 

Tennessee-Chattanooga 5, Niagara 3
Down 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning to the host-Mocs, the Purple Eagles would tie the game when junior Alexis Wayne would hit a triple, scoring Zill who had singled a few batters earlier.

Niagara trailed the host school 2-1 heading the bottom of the fifth inning, where the Mocs would score three runs on two hits and an error to take a commanding 5-1 lead. The Purple Eagles would make a brief comeback, scoring two in the top of the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough.

Sophomore Kim Bryson threw all six innings for Niagara,  allowing five runs on seven hits, while striking out eight batters.

Niagara is back at it tomorrow, taking on Purdue and Valparaiso.