NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara softball split its doubleheader with the Monmouth Hawks on Saturday, winning the first game 2-1, before losing 11-3 in the second game.
 
Prior to the game, Niagara honored the five seniors on the team – Kim Bryson, Aileen Hinton, Connal Kelly, Brittany Richberg and Jennifer Sansano.
 
Monmouth 1, Niagara 2
 
Richberg scored both runs as NU (14-28, 4-10 MAAC) took game one of the doubleheader, 2-1. Richberg scored the game's first run in the third inning on a Chanelle Ward's double to right field. It was heads up base running by Richberg that led to Niagara's second run in the fifth inning.
 
Ward grounded out to second base as Richberg, who was on second, advanced to third. However, Richberg took advantage of the Monmouth infielders' unawareness to steal home. The Hawks led off the sixth inning with a solo home run, but were shut down in the final two innings.
 
Sansano went the distance for her ninth win of the season, striking out eight and allowing five hits.
 
Monmouth 11, Niagara 3
 
NU fells short in its attempt for the doubleheader sweep in game two. The Purple Eagles scored two first inning runs with Desarae Maldonado and Amanda Werth contributing with RBI singles.
 
However, a five-run third inning by the Hawks gave the visitors the lead for good. NU cut the lead to 5-3 in the fourth inning on a RBI single by Richberg, who finished the day going 4-for-7 with two runs and a RBI.
 
The Hawks added three runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take an 11-3 lead. NU threatened in the sixth inning with the bases loaded but fell to score a run.  
 
Niagara will host the Rider Broncs in a doubleheader starting 11 a.m. on Sunday.