NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara softball team (12-29, 5-9 MAAC) will wrap up the 2012 season with a pair of weekend doubleheaders, taking on Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Rider (20-29-1, 7-5 MAAC) on Saturday, while clashing with Binghamton (19-28, 7-11 America East) on Sunday.

The Purple Eagles began the week with two tough, one-run losses to Canisius on Wednesday that knocked them out of post-season contention. Despite the losses, senior Jennifer Hare and sophomore Brittany Richberg have had hot bats for Niagara. Both Purple Eagles went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader against Canisius, with Hare responsible for four RBIs. Hare has reached base safely in the last eight games.

Sophomore Jessica Hitchcock also has been hitting well for the Purple Eagles. The second baseman has an active six-game hitting streak, while having safely made it on base in the last six games.

In the circle, sophomore Kim Bryson continues to impress. The Ohio native is just 29 strikeouts away from tying the Niagara single-season strikeout record, held by Joni Sontrop (178). 

Saturday's doubleheader against Rider is huge for the Broncs, as they will look to keep pace with Canisius for the final spot in the 2012 MAAC Tournament. Dating back to the 2006 season, the Purple Eagles are 10-2 against the Broncs, including a current four-game winning streak that has seen Niagara outscore Rider by a 44-4 margin.

Rider is led by Allysen Breeden, who currently maintains a .304 batting average, along with a team-leading eight doubles, three home runs and 27 RBIs. The Broncs will rely on hurler Rachael Matreale, who has a 2.04 earned-run average and a 17-12 record heading into this weekend. Matreale has fanned 195 batters so far this season.

Binghamton is currently awaiting its postseason fate, as it sits in fifth place out of seven teams in the America East conference. Should fourth place Maine drop its final three conference games to sixth place Hartford, the Bearcats will head to the America East tournament.

Since the 2007 season, Niagara is 7-3 against Binghamton, having split a doubleheader the last two seasons. The Purple Eagles swept the Bearcats in the last doubleheader the two teams played at Niagara Field in 2009, by scores of 1-0 and 6-2. 

The Bearcats are led by Jessica Phillips, who will enter this weekend leading the team in six major statistical categories, including batting average (.330), runs (29), hits (38), doubles (10), home runs (11) and RBIs (23).

In the circle for Binghamton will likely be Demi Laney, who enters this weekend with an 8-9 record and a 4.42 earned-run average.