The Niagara softball team went 4-2 in last week's competition, sweeping the Saint Peter's Peacocks at Niagara Softball Field and picking up splits against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies and the MAAC-leading Manhattan Jaspers.
 
The Purple Eagles kick off this week's six-game road trip against Syracuse University on Tuesday, April 18, taking on the Orange in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. After that, Niagara heads to New Jersey for MAAC doubleheaders against Monmouth and Rider.
 
Last Time Out

• Niagara is now 4-2 in its six games after a split with MAAC leader Manhattan on April 14. After a narrow 2-1 defeat in the first game against the Jaspers, Niagara took a 6-0 lead through four innings and held on against a late rally from Manhattan for a 7-5 win.
• Sarah Trifoso led the Purple Eagles (11-17, 3-5 MAAC) at the plate, going 4-for-6 on the day with one double, one triple, and three runs scored.
• Trifoso and Chanelle Ward both batted a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored in Niagara's 7-5 win. 
• Jerri Ann Orfano batted 3-for-5 in the doubleheader with a team-high three RBI.
• Jennifer Szilagyi went five innings in the circle in the 2-1 loss, allowing only a pair of second-inning runs on five hits, striking out four batters. Emily Johnston pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and picking up one strikeout.
• In Niagara's 7-5 win, Sierra Bertrand picked up her third consecutive victory to move to 7-5 on the season. She also picked up double-digit strikeouts for the third straight game, fanning a career-high 12 batters while allowing five runs on six hits.

 
On the Field: Niagara Purple Eagles (11-17, 3-5 MAAC)

• After going 3-1 in MAAC play last week, the Purple Eagles now sit at ninth in the conference.
• As a team, the Purple Eagles are fifth in the conference in batting average (.270) and sixth in ERA (3.80).
• The Purple Eagles have two of the MAAC's top five in batting average, with Bridget Hogan ranking second at .387 and Jerri Ann Orfano is fifth at .356.
• Hogan leads Niagara with 36 hits and 10 extra-base hits this season, totaling nine doubles and one triple. She also leads the Purple Eagles with a career-high .431 on-base percentage and .505 slugging percentage.
• Orfano has a team-best 16 RBI, while Sarah March and Kendall Watkins lead the Purple Eagles with 16 runs scored.
• In the circle, Sierra Bertrand is 7-5 with a 3.29 ERA and 89 strikeouts, while Jennifer Szilagyi is 3-8 with a 3.53 ERA and 21 strikeouts.

 
On the Field: Syracuse Orange (24-15, 6-9 MAAC)

• Syracuse hosts Niagara in its second doubleheader against a MAAC team this season. The Orange defeated Canisius by scores of 9-0 and 8-2 in a doubleheader on April 12.
• Last season, the Purple Eagles were swept at Syracuse with the Orange taking wins of 7-1 and 5-0.
• Sydney O'Hara is batting .485 for the Orange this season and leads the team with 18 extra-base hits, with seven doubles, three triples, and eight home runs.
• Syracuse has four other batters averaging over .300 in Bryce Holmgren (.363), Sammy Fernandez (.356), Alicia Hansen (.350) and Faith Cain (.314).
• O'Hara also leads Syracuse in the circle with a 1.98 ERA. She is 7-3 in 25 appearances with 106 strikeouts.
• Alexa Romero has a team-high 19 starts for Syracuse and is 10-6 with a 2.54 ERA and 116 strikeouts, while Anna Marie Gatti is 6-5 with a 3.54 ERA and 62 strikeouts.

 
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for softball updates, follow Niagara Softball on Twitter and Instagram. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.