NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – In a doubleheader with the Iona Gaels, the Purple Eagles softball team picked up its first home win and first MAAC win of the season with a 4-1 victory. Iona took game two 6-1 as the teams split the twinbill Saturday afternoon at Niagara Softball Field.
 
Sarah March turned in a stellar performance in the win for Niagara (3-25, 1-3 MAAC). After missing Thursday's doubleheader versus St. Bonaventure due to injury, March hit 4-for-4 in the opener against Iona, scoring one run and driving in two. Jerri Ann Orfano hit the first home run of her Niagara career. Jennifer Timm hit 2-for-3 with one RBI on the day, while Bridget Hogan and Sarah Trifoso picked up one hit apiece.
 
Niagara 4, Iona 1
 
The Purple Eagles benefitted greatly from the performance of March in the win over the Gaels, as the junior was responsible for three of Niagara's four runs. Sierra Bertrand continued her week with a strong appearance in the circle, giving up just one run (zero earned) and two hits while striking out six batters.
 
March opened the bottom of the first for Niagara with a double to right field, and after advancing to third she would score to give Niagara the 1-0 lead. After Iona tied the game in the third inning, March came back up to bat in the fourth and lined a single up the middle, scoring Trifoso for what would eventually be the game-winning run.
 
Looking to extend Niagara's lead in the bottom of the sixth, Orfano led the order and drove a ball deep to right field and over the fence, a solo shot that put the Purple Eagles up 3-1. After Iona got two outs against Niagara, March hit another RBI single up the middle of the Gaels' defense, scoring pinch runner Alexandra Moore from second base.

With one out and a runner on first in the top of the seventh, Bertrand was relieved by Hogan, who came in and helped the Purple Eagles get the next two Iona batters out, picking up her first save of the season and giving Niagara the 4-1 victory.
 
Iona 6, Niagara 1
 
The Gaels came back strong in game two, taking a 4-0 lead after two innings of play and holding on for the 6-1 win. Hogan started in the circle for Niagara, giving up five runs on nine hits while striking out three batters. Sydney Smyers entered in relief of Hogan to start the fifth inning, giving up one run on two hits.
 
Iona (8-22, 2-4 MAAC) picked up a two-run double from Tori Danner in the top of the first and a two-run home run to right center from Katie Newton to take a 4-0 lead midway through the second inning. Niagara would get on the board in the bottom of the second. Szilagyi walked to lead off the inning, eventually advancing to third before scoring as Timm fired a deep single to center field.
 
From there, the Gaels tacked on runs in the third and sixth innings, while the Purple Eagles were held scoreless. Iona pitcher Alana Evans walked eight Niagara batters in five innings of work, but Niagara only managed two hits and could not get a hit on Iona relief pitcher Jessica Harkness in the final two innings of play.
 
The Purple Eagles wrap up this weekend's home stand at Niagara Softball Field Sunday afternoon. The Fairfield Stags will be making the trip up to Monteagle Ridge for a doubleheader starting 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.