ATHENS, Ohio – The Purple Eagles dropped the first game of the weekend series against the Ohio University Bobcats, 7-1, on Saturday.

Senior Katelyn Gruarin supplied the only run for Niagara (0-15). In the third inning, Gruarin, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, opened the scoring with a double to score Sarah Trifoso to give the Purple Eagles a 1-0 lead. NU would leave two runners on base. Niagara sent sophomore starter Sydney Smyers to the circle this afternoon. Smyers allowed seven runs, four of them earned runs in her six innings of work.

The Bobcats had Senior Kaylin Clarke in the circle, she allowed eight hits to Niagara, but was able to keep the damage to a minimum.  Clarke helped her own cause in the bottom of the third when she drove in the go-ahead run with a single. Ohio (6-18) was helped offensively by Senior Adrienne Gabele when she doubled and drove in two insurance runs in the fifth inning, making the score 5-1.

Niagara and Ohio wrap up their two-game weekend series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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