Game 1:
Live Stats
Game 2:
Live Stats
Game 3:
Live Stats
Game 4:
Live Stats
Game 5:
Live Stats
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara softball team travels to Phoenix, Az. this weekend to compete in the Grand Canyon University Purple Classic. The Purple Eagles will play Houston Baptist University (4:30 p.m.) and Grand Canyon University (7:00 p.m.) on Friday, Feb. 23, Grand Canyon (2:00 p.m.) and Houston Baptist (7:00 p.m.) on Saturday, Feb. 24, and Grand Canyon (11:00 a.m.) on Sunday, Feb. 25.
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Last Time Out/On the Field: Niagara Purple Eagles (2-2)
- The Purple Eagles competed in the Cleveland State Dome Invitational on Feb. 9 and 10, earning victories against Cleveland State and Robert Morris and dropping a pair against Bowling Green.
- Catcher Rachel Funk leads the team at the plate, hitting .500.
- Outfielder Kelsey Harrigan leads the team in hits with four and is tied for the team lead in total bases with seven.
- On the mound, Sierra Bertrand (1-0) has recorded a team-best 10 strikeouts in three appearances so far this season, totaling 8.0 innings of work.
- Jennifer Szilagyi leads the team in innings pitched with 8.1, while Karsen Cotton has recorded 7.2 scoreless innings over three appearances this season.
- Following the weekend, Bertrand was named MAAC Pitcher of the Week and Cotton was named MAAC Rookie of the Week.
On the Field: Houston Baptist Huskies (1-3)
- The Huskies are coming off a doubleheader split against Texas Southern on Feb. 17, winning the first game by a final score of 3-2 before falling in the second game, 4-2.
- Shortstop Libby Brown currently leads the team in runs (three), hits (five), total bases (nine) and slugging percentage (.643).
- On the mound, Elliot Estes has pitched 5.1 scoreless innings for Houston Baptist this season. Jessica Parker (1-1) has pitched a team-leading 15.1 innings pitched and recorded a team-best nine strikeouts with a 1.76 ERA in three appearances this season.
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On the Field: Grand Canyon Lopes (3-8)
- The Lopes come into the GCU Classic on a five-game losing streak, going 0-5 in the Mary Nutter Cathedral City Classic in Cathedral City, Ca. Their last game on Feb. 19 was a 7-6 loss to the #5 UCLA Bruins.
- Second baseman/outfielder Loriann Olson is currently tied for the team lead in hits with 13 and leads the team in RBIs with seven.
- Utility player Sierra Smith also has 13 hits for the Lopes and leads the team in total bases with 19, along with recording six RBIs.
- On the mound, Mariah Valencia (0-2) leads the team with a 4.30 ERA, while Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage leads the team in wins with two. Alexa Coons (1-1) leads the team in strikeouts with 14 in 40.2 innings pitched.
Up Next
- Niagara travels next to Kissimmee, Fla. to compete in the D9 Citrus Classic March 3-4. The Purple Eagles face California-Santa Barbara (3:00 p.m.) and Troy (5:30 p.m.) on March 3 and take on Ball State (9:00 a.m.) and the Czech Republic national team (11:30 a.m.) on March 4.
