Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DELAND, Fla.  – The Niagara softball dropped both games of its doubleheader against the Stetson Hatters on Friday afternoon.

“We are going through some growing pains right now as we experiment with the lineup,” said head coach Ellie Chan. “We find ourselves in every game, but there just seems to be that one breaking point that makes the difference. We will continue to work on overcoming these obstacles. As I said at the last tournament, there are many positives and all we can do is just build on those. Our girls are working very hard and everything will eventually come together. Being down in Florida for a week will be very beneficial to us. We are playing some very good competition right now, but between games and practice, we will only get better.”

Stetson 4, Niagara 1

A three-run homer in the first inning gave the Hatters (8-6) the early lead, which the home squad would never give up.

Down 4-0 in the top of the sixth, the Purple Eagles (1-6) would cut the deficit to 4-1 on a bases loaded walk, bringing junior Connal Kelly across home plate.

Junior Jenn Sansano (1-2) struck out five batters in six innings in the loss.

Stetson 8, Niagara 0

Junior Kim Bryson allowed just two runs through the first two innings, but an offensive explosion led the Wildcats past the Purple Eagles, 8-0.

Stetson scored four runs in both of the final two innings to complete the series sweep. Senior Alexis Wayne registered the lone hit for Niagara.

The Purple Eagles return to action Sunday, March 3 for a doubleheader against Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Fla.