VESTAL, N.Y. – In the team's final two games of March, the Purple Eagles softball team dropped a pair of matchups against the Binghamton Bearcats. Niagara fell to Binghamton by scores of 13-0 and 15-1 Thursday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex.
 
Binghamton 13, Niagara 0
 
To open the doubleheader between the Purple Eagles and Bearcats, Binghamton scored twice in the first inning and three times in the second before a seven-run third inning opened up a 12-0 lead over Niagara. The Purple Eagles were held without a hit against Binghamton sophomore pitcher Sarah Miller, who allowed two runners on base but the Binghamton defense kept Niagara off the scoreboard.
 
Jennifer Szilagyi pitched the complete game in the circle for Niagara, giving up 10 earned runs on 12 hits, while striking out two batters and walking three.
 
Binghamton 15, Niagara 1
 
The Purple Eagles scored one run on seven hits in the concluding game of the doubleheader, leaving four runners on base. Chanelle Ward and Sarah March each hit 2-for-2 in the second game, while Erin Bohan, Bridget Hogan, and Sarah Trifoso each earned one hit. Sydney Smyers started and gave up eight earned runs in two innings, while Hogan and Maria Gabriele each pitched one inning in relief.
 
Niagara opened the game with a bases-loaded situation in the top of the first inning, but Binghamton turned a double play to keep the game scoreless. The Bearcats then went up to bat, scoring 10 runs on nine hits and one error in the first inning.
 
Trifoso scored in the top of the third inning for the Purple Eagles. The sophomore outfielder led off the inning with a single to left field, eventually advancing to third before running home on a single to center field by Ward. Niagara had a chance to improve their run total as the inning continued, but Binghamton picked up another double play as Niagara again had the bases loaded to end the inning.
 
The Bearcats tacked on three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to end game two at 15-1. Niagara's weekend continues Saturday and Sunday, as the Purple Eagles open MAAC play at Marist and Quinnipiac this weekend. Niagara and Marist kick off a doubleheader Saturday, April 2 before the team heads to take on the Bobcats Sunday, April 3. Both doubleheaders are slated to begin at 12 p.m.
 
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.