Box Score vs. EMU
Box Score vs. Miami (Ohio)

OXFORD, Ohio - The Niagara softball team dropped both of its games during day one of the 2012 Miami (Ohio) Redhawk Invitational, losing to Eastern Michigan 5-4 and the host-school by a 10-0 margin. 

Eastern Michigan 5, Niagara 4
After Eastern Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, Niagara scored four consecutive runs in three consecutive innings. Niagara tied the game in the top of the fourth inning, when junior Gabrielle Lustrinelli scored on a double by junior Alexis Wayne. 

Lustrinelli would give Niagara its first lead of the day an inning later, when her single would score sophomore Brittany Richberg. The Purple Eagles would take a 3-1 lead a batter later, when senior Jennifer Hare smacked a single that scored freshman Ambur Farmer.

Junior Sarah Anthon would score on an error in the sixth inning for a 4-1 Purple Eagles lead. 

Senior pitcher Bri Allen would allow four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, including a home run for the loss.

Miami (Ohio) 10, Niagara 0
Niagara gave up five runs in the bottom of the first inning, as the host-Redhawks would score 10 unanswered runs off of starting pitcher Kim Bryson.

Bryson threw 4.1 innings, while striking out three batters. Junior Becky Zill had both Niagara hits.

The Purple Eagles are back at it on Saturday, beginning wth a contest against Eastern Michigan at 11 a.m.