KISSIMMEE, FL. - In its final outing of the weekend at the Rebel Spring Games, the Purple Eagles softball team earned its second win of the season, taking down South Dakota State by a score of 5-2 on Sunday night.

Sierra Bertrand started her second game in the circle and moved to 2-0 with the victory. The freshman from Stirling, Ont. struck out nine batters, the best mark by a Niagara pitcher this season, while allowing just two runs on three hits in a complete game. Jennifer Szilagyi was a perfect 3-for-3 for the Purple Eagles (2-6), while Taylor Moody, Sarah Trifoso, and Bridget Hogan all hit 2-for-4 in the win. Trifoso led the way for Niagara with two RBIs.

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits opened the scoring to take a 1-0 lead after the first inning, but Niagara tied the game in the top of the third. Moody hit a double to left center field before advacing to third on a wild pitch. With Trifoso at the plate, the sophomore hit a single to center field, bringing Moody home to bring the score to 1-1.

The Purple Eagles broke the game open in the fourth inning, picking up four runs on four hits. Szilagyi opened the fourth-inning scoring with an RBI single to right center, as Timm scored after opening the inning with a double. With the bases loaded, Trifoso reached first base on a fielder's choice to bat in her second run of the day. On the next at-bat, Trifoso stole second and Szilagyi stole home to make it a 4-1 lead. Hogan would bring Trifoso home on an RBI single to right center before the top of the fourth concluded with Niagara ahead 5-1.

With a four-run lead entering her final three innings of the game, Bertrand registered four strikeouts while yielding just one run on a solo home run for the Jackrabbits in the sixth inning. The win gave the Purple Eagles a 1-3 weekend record at the Rebel Spring Games after a 10-2 loss to the Sacred Heart Pioneers in the first game of Sunday.

Niagara looks ahead to the Elon Tournament on Mar. 11 and 12, where the team will play two games against the host Elon Phoenix as well as games against Oakland and Central Connecticut State.

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