NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara softball team (15-30, 7-9 MAAC) finished the 2012 regular season with a non-conference split against the visiting Binghamton Bearcats (22-29, 7-11 America East) on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Niagara Field.

Niagara finished the season by winning three of its last four games, including game one  by a 1-0 margin on Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats won game two by a 5-2 score.

"I thought today was a great day for the team to come together as one," head coach Al Dirschberger said. "We played hard in both games today and earned the split."

For the second time in as many days, the Purple Eagles came out on top of a 1-0 game, this time against the Bearcats.

After taking 12 innings yesterday to get its first run of the game, Niagara plated the only run it needed in the bottom of the first inning. With sophomore Jessica Hitchcock on second base and freshman Ambur Farmer on first base, senior Jennifer Hare was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for junior Alexis Wayne.

Wayne would watch a pitch from Bearcats' starter Demi Laney sail past catcher Lisa Catrona, allowing Hitchcock to score the game's only run.

Niagara starter Kim Bryson was strong again for Niagara, earning the complete game win, while striking out five. The Ohio native hasn't allowed a run in her last 25.2 innings of play. Bryson finished the season 18 strikeouts shy of Niagara's single-season strikeout record, set by Joni Sontrop (178).

Binghamton 5, Niagara 2
Like in game one, Niagara would jump out to an early lead, scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning. With no outs, Hitchcock on second base and senior Sarah Anthon on first base, junior Becky Zill hit a RBI single, scoring Hitchcock for a 1-0 lead. A sacrifice fly by Hare would score Anthon, giving Niagara a 2-0 lead. 

Binghamton would score once in the top of the second inning, before loading the bases with no outs. The Purple Eagles would play superb defensive, getting the force out at home twice, before the inning ended with a fly out to right fielder Vicki Gilliland.

The Bearcats would score twice in the top of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead, the first time all day that Niagara trailed. Binghamton scored twice more for the final score of 5-2.

Senior Ali Grab went 2-for-3 in the second game, including two singles.

By the end of game two, Hare safely made it on base in her last 12 games, while Hitchcock safely made it on base in her last 10 games.

The Purple Eagles finished the season 15-30 overall, while 7-9 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Niagara finished in sixth place out of nine teams in the MAAC.