Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Niagara University softball team dropped both games in its MAAC opener to Monmouth on Friday afternoon. The Purple Eagles fell 6-0 in game one and 7-2 in game two.
 
Niagara 0, Monmouth 6

• Sierra Bertrand got the start in the circle for Niagara and pitched 4.0 innings, including a 1-2-3 second. Bertrand struck out three batters while giving up six runs (three earned) on seven hits and five walks.
• In 2.0 innings of relief, Emily Johnston shut down the Hawks' offense, allowing just two hits while fanning a pair.

 
Niagara 2, Monmouth 7

• Niagara showed short memory, struck early in the second game to go ahead of the Hawks. Rachel Funk scored the game's first run after singling to get aboard. She advanced to second on a fielder's choice, took third on a Heather Haberman single, then scored when Maggie Vesneske put a single into right field.
• After Monmouth went up 2-1, Niagara tied things back up in their half of the third inning. After Funk got on with a single up the gut, she scored one batter later when Jerri Orfano doubled into the gap in right-center.
• Funk and Orfano each accounted for two hits in the second game, while Haberman, Vesneske, and Karsen Cotton each supplied one apiece.
• Cotton pitched 4.0 innings for the Purple Eagles, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks to go along with three strikeouts.
• Johnston relieved her for 2.0 innings, striking out two opposing batters while surrendering one run on three hits.

 
On Deck

• MAAC play continues tomorrow at Rider with a doubleheader that's set to begin at 12 p.m.

 

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