Box Score ­­

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Inclement weather forced a one hour delay, but the Purple Eagles and the Akron Zips were able to finish game one Tuesday afternoon, when Niagara falling short in the effort, 4-1. The night-cap was played through four and two-third innings with Niagara in the lead 3-1, but the game was called before the final out of the inning due to lack of daylight, declaring the game a “no contest.” Niagara falls to 4-24 (1-5 MAAC) on the season while Akron improves to 18-20 (4-8 MAC).

Akron 4, Niagara 1

Niagara would get on the board early with a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but four runs in the final four innings would give the Akron Zips the win over the Purple Eagles, 4-1.

Senior Alexis Wayne would get Niagara’s lone RBI after reaching first on a fielder’s choice while scoring junior Brittany Richberg  With two runners on base, the inning would end on a base runner interference call, stopping the Purple Eagles’ chance to extend their one-run lead.

Freshman pitcher Sydney Smyers (0-3) would hold the Zips without a hit through three innings, and gave up just three hits in 6 and one-third innings.

Akron would score twice in the fourth to take a one run, first with a fielder’s choice RBI. Later in the inning while in a rundown in between first and second, Akron would score again before the play was complete, giving them the 2-1 advantage.

The Zips would add one run in each of the final two innings to secure the victory.

Smyers drew the loss for the Purple Eagles. Junior Jennifer Sansano faced the final three batters of the seventh inning.
Sophomore Amanda Werth led all batters, going 2-for-3. Sophomore Ambur Farmer had the only extra-base hit for Niagara, tripling to right field in the fourth inning.

Game two of the doubleheader was called in the bottom of the fourth with Niagara up 3-1 due to darkness. Not enough innings were played to consider it regulation game, therefore the stats do not count and it does not affect the record of either team.

Niagara returns to action Thursday, April 18 for a Battle of the Bridge matchup against Canisius in Buffalo, N.Y. beginning at 3 p.m.