Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Bethlehem, P.A. – The Niagara softball dropped both games of a doubleheader against Lehigh on Saturday, falling by a 3-1 count in the first game before losing 6-3 in the second game. The Purple Eagles are now 3-14 on the season.

“We really battled the first game, and I was proud of the way the girls played,” said head coach Ellie Chan. “It was a well-played game all the way around. Lehigh just had a better game than us at the end. That type of loss is easier to deal with rather than us beating ourselves, which is what happened the second game. Our subs did a fantastic job, coming off the bench in the 6th inning to get things going.”

Lehigh 3, Niagara 1

A single by Aileen Hinton in the fifth inning would tie the game, but two runs in the final two innings would give Lehigh (9-9-1) the victory over the Purple Eagles, 3-1.

Lehigh would get on the board first after back-to-back triples would put the Mountain Hawks up, 1-0.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Hinton would break up Lehigh pitcher Emily Bausher’s no-hitter in the fifth inning. Senior Alexis Wayne would advance Hinton to second base on a sacrifice bunt, and senior Gabrielle Lustrinelli’s double to left field would equalize the score, 1-1.

The Purple Eagles would threaten the lead in the sixth inning, after Wayne would triple with two-outs, but was left on base when the side was retired, ending the game.

Lehigh 6, Niagara 3

Senior Becky Zill went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, both coming in the top of the sixth inning, but it was not enough as Lehigh took the second game, 6-3.

With her first at-bat of the season and facing a six run deficit, Tashia Daley would double down the left field line and drove in Niagara’s first run of the game. Senior Becky Zill would follow Daley’s performance with a double of her own, scoring two runners and cutting Lehigh’s lead, 6-3.

That was as close as it would get for the Purple Eagles, as Lehigh would retire the first three batters of the seventh inning, ending the game and securing the victory.

“We did a good job of putting the ball in play today,” said Chan. “Lehigh had 2 pitchers that threw well. We are taking baby steps but we really need to start taking strides. We will regroup and give it another shot tomorrow.”

The Purple Eagles return to action tomorrow afternoon with a second doubleheader against Lehigh beginning at 12 p.m.