CLEVELAND –The Niagara softball team opened the season at the Cleveland State Dome Tournament on Friday where it fell to the host 8-0 and to Toledo, 12-2.

Niagara 0, Cleveland State 8

Niagara sent Sophomore Sydney Smyers to the circle, and she pitched 3.0 innings allowing three earned runs on five hits.  However, the Purple Eagles' bats were silenced.

Cleveland State (2-0) had freshman Mackenzie Joecken in the circle, she shut down the Purple Eagle lineup only allowing three hits and striking out six batters in the shortened 5.0 inning complete game shutout.

Niagara 2, Toledo 12

In the second game against Toledo, sophomore Desarae Maldonado supplied the offense for Niagara driving in all both runs on a double in the second inning, making the score 4-2 Toledo. Freshman Sarah Trifoso recorded her first two hits of her career.

Toledo (1-1), led from the first inning on, Nichole Toven and Chandler Rice both recorded three RBIs en route to the ten-run victory. In the circle the Rockets were given a solid outing from sophomore Emily Anderson, allowing seven hits over five innings pitched.

Niagara will look to rebound Saturday in day two of the Cleveland State Dome Tournament, going up against Bowling Green at 3:30pm and Robert Morris at 6:00pm