Live Stats: Niagara vs. Cleveland State |
Live Stats: Niagara vs. Morehead StateThe Niagara Purple Eagles softball team is set to kick off its season Friday and Saturday at the Cleveland State Dome Tournament for the second straight year. Niagara will play four games in the two-day tournament, starting at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 12 against the hosting Cleveland State Vikings. The Purple Eagles conclude Friday's doubleheader against Morehead State at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, Niagara faces Bowling Green at 2:00 p.m. and Robert Morris at 4:30 p.m.
The 2016 season will be
Larry Puzan's third as the head coach of Niagara following 18 seasons as an assistant coach. The roster returns 14 players while adding seven newcomers.
Last Time at Cleveland State- Niagara went 0-4 at last season's Cleveland State Dome Tournament.
- The Purple Eagles fell to Cleveland State and the University of Toledo by respective scores of 8-0 and 12-2 on day one of the tournament. Niagara also lost to Robert Morris (3-1) and Bowling Green (9-1).
- Niagara plays three of those four teams again in this year's tournament, as the University of Toledo has been replaced by Morehead State.
Who to Watch For- Niagara is led by a group of five seniors: Rebecca Saggiomo, Victoria Bretz, Sydney Smyers, Ally Gay, and Kristen Prusiecki.
- Junior Chanelle Ward (.248 avg, 29 hits, six doubles, 12 RBIs) and sophomore Taylor Moody (.267 avg, 20 hits, three doubles, seven RBIs) are the team's leading returning hitters from the 2015 season.
- 2014 All-MAAC Second Team member Bridget Hogan returns this season as a redshirt-sophomore. She hit .313 with 46 hits, nine doubles, three home runs, and 20 RBIs two seasons ago.
- Smyers was the team's leading pitcher last season, compiling a 5.86 ERA in 29 appearances (23 starts).
Full 2016 Schedule
Conference games denoted with *, home games in ALL CAPSÂ
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
| Feb. 12-13 | Cleveland State Dome Tournament | |
| Friday, Feb. 12 | Cleveland State | 3:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Feb. 12 | Morehead State | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Feb. 13 | Bowling Green | 2:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Feb. 13 | Robert Morris | 4:30 p.m. |
| | |
| Mar. 11-13 | Elon Tournament | |
| Friday, Mar. 11 | Oakland | 12:00 p.m. |
| Friday, Mar. 11 | Elon | 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Mar. 12 | Elon | 2:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Mar. 12 | Central Connecticut | 4:45 p.m. |
| | |
| Wednesday, Mar. 23 | Syracuse (DH) | 3:00 p.m. |
| Friday, Mar. 25 | Cleveland State (DH) | 1:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, Mar. 31 | Binghamton (DH) | 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Apr. 2 | Marist* (DH) | 12:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, Apr. 3 | Quinnipiac* (DH) | 12:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, Apr. 6 | Youngstown State (DH) | 3:00 p.m. |
| Friday, Apr. 8 | Nevada (DH) | 12:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | Nevada | 12:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, Apr. 14 | ST. BONAVENTURE (DH) | 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Apr. 16 | IONA* (DH) | 1:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, Apr. 17 | FAIRFIELD* (DH) | 12:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Apr. 19 | Akron (DH) | 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Apr. 23 | Manhattan* (DH) | 10:00 a.m. |
| Sunday, Apr. 24 | Saint Peter's* (DH) | 12:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Apr. 26 | CANISIUS* (DH) | 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, Apr. 30 | RIDER* (DH) | 1:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 1 | MONMOUTH* (DH) | 11:00 a.m. |
| Tuesday, May 3 | BUFFALO (DH) | 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 7 | Siena* (DH) | 12:00 p.m. |
| May 11-15 | MAAC Championship | TBD |
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter
@NUPurpleEagles and for softball updates, follow
@NiagaraSoftball. Check in with the Purple Eagles on
Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram
@NUPurpleEagles.
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