Vs. Mount St. Mary's Box Score
Vs. UMBC Box Score

BALTIMORE - The Niagara softball team (4-9) split its two games on the second day of the 2012 University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) Dawg Pound Classic, dropping a 6-2 decision to Mount St. Mary's (5-11) and defeating UMBC (7-9) 3-2.

"Two very good efforts today," head coach Al Dirschberger said. "In the first game, we gave up two big hits and left a lot of runner son base stranded. Against UMBC, we came back and did a very nice job. We showed a lot of character and composure to come back and take the game."

Mount St. Mary's 6, Niagara 2
A scoreless game in the top of the third inning, Mount St. Mary's would score six runs in two frames to take a 6-0 lead. Starting pitcher Kim Bryson gave up two runs in the top of the third inning via a sacrifice fly and a home run to be down 2-0. An inning later, the sophomore hurler gave up four runs, including a three-run blast by Cat Clifford.

The Purple Eagles would tack on two runs later in the game. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jennifer Hare would earn first base via an error and would eventually come around to score on a Desarae Maldonado double.

Becky Zill gave Niagara its other run in the bottom of the seventh inning, crushing her third home run of the season over the left field wall. 

Bryson lasted five innings, allowing six runs on five hits, while fanning nine batters. Senior Bri Allen finished the final two innings of the game, allowing just one hit and two strikeouts. 

Niagara 3, UMBC 2
After two scoreless innings, Niagara drew first blood in the top of the third inning. Freshman Katelyn Gruarin led off the frame with a single, advancing to second base and third base via an error on Retriever pitcher Heather Brown. Two batters later, freshman Ambur Farmer would ground out, but scored Gruarin for the 1-0 lead. 

The Retrievers would take its first lead of the game a half inning later, when a double by Taylor Hall off of starting pitcher Julie DiMatteo scored two runs. 

Niagara would recapture the lead in the top of the sixth inning, holding a slim 3-2 edge after six frames. Junior Gabrielle Lustrinelli hit a single and Zill smacked a double for runners on second base and third base with two outs. Hare gave Niagara the lead by hitting a single up the middle, picking up two RBIs. 

Allen earned the victory by shutting down the host-Retrievers, allowing just two baserunners in the final three innings of play. 

The Purple Eagles are back in action on Friday, March 16 when they take on Eastern Michigan and Miami (Ohio) as part of the 2012 Miami (Ohio) Redhawks Invitational.