NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – After playing the first 39 games of the season on the road, the Purple Eagles are ready to settle in at home, as the final 14 games of the regular season will be played at Niagara Softball Field. Their first opponent is Canisius, who will be the visitor for a doubleheader beginning tomorrow at 2 p.m.

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After poor weather postponed the Griffs' first visit to Niagara on April 15, they will now replace St. Bonaventure as tomorrow's opponent after the weather once again threatened to disrupt their original rescheduled date on April 25. The series against the Bonnies is now postponed, with both teams hopeful they can make up the two-game set next week.
 
Last Time Out

• After dropping a pair of games to Manhattan on the road on April 21, the Purple Eagles earned a pair of victories in Jersey City, N.J. against the St. Peter's Peacocks on April 22.
• Jennifer Timm delivered a go-ahead double in the 10th inning of the first game against the Peacocks to earn the victory, 3-2.
• The second game – an 8-0 shutout victory over the Peacocks – was headlined offensively by two Heather Haberman RBI hits and a Taylor Moody two-run homerun. Jennifer Szilagyi also had a dominant performance in the circle in the second game, allowing just five hits and one walk while also recording six strikeouts on just 88 pitches for her first shutout of the season.

On the Field: Niagara Purple Eagles (12-27, 4-6 MAAC)

• Jerri Ann Orfano leads the Purple Eagles in hits with 35, and is also tied for third in the MAAC with six home runs. Orfano also leads the team with 29 RBI, which currently ranks second in the conference.
• Kendall Watkins' .404 on-base percentage is a team-high and also ranks 12th in the MAAC.
• Sarah Trifoso is perfect in the field, carrying a 1.000 fielding percentage into the doubleheader, one of only three players in the conference to hold that mark.
• In the circle, Sierra Bertrand (6-10) leads the Purple Eagle pitching staff with 72 strikeouts in 93.0 innings pitched. She has an ERA of 4.14 in 19 appearances for Niagara.
• Karsen Cotton (3-9) has fanned 33 batters in 68.2 innings pitched and holds an ERA of 4.79, while Emily Johnston has a team-best three saves.

On the Field: Canisius Golden Griffins (9-26, 5-3 MAAC)

• The Golden Griffins come into the doubleheader winners of their last five contests, including going a perfect 4-0 against Manhattan and Saint Peter's April 21-22.
• Kara Paradowski leads the team and the MAAC in stolen bases with 19, while also leading the team in hits with 29. Morgan Altman has a team-best three homeruns and 19 RBIs while leading the team in both slugging percentage (.452) and on-base percentage (.363).
• Erika Mackie (3-13) has pitched 16 complete games this season for Canisius, third most across the MAAC. Mackie leads the team in both innings pitched and strikeouts as well with 92.0 and 52, respectively. Emily Nicosia (4-9) leads the team in ERA with a 3.62 mark.

Up Next

• Niagara hosts a pair of MAAC rivals this weekend at Niagara Softball Field. The Purple Eagles host the Rider Broncs for a doubleheader on April 28 before hosting the Monmouth Hawks on April 29 for two more games. First pitch for the opening game on Saturday is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and first pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

 
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