LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Niagara softball team closed out its first MAAC weekend by earning its first conference win over the Rider Broncs. Kendall Watkins homered twice – once in each game – while Niagara's starting pitchers combined for 10.0 solid innings in the circle.
 
Rider 6, Niagara 5

• The Purple Eagles put up a three-spot to start off the game. In the top of the first, Kelsey Harrigan led off with a walk and Kendall Watkins got aboard via error. With one out, Jerri Orfano plated both runners with a double into the left-center gap. Orfano herself was then brought in by Rachel Funk.
• The score stuck at 3-0 until the fourth inning, when Niagara added another run to its count. Maggie Vesneske doubled to start off the frame and was able to score when Maria Gabriele swatted a ball to the shortstop that was misplayed.
• Rider got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth, but the top of the fifth saw the Purple Eagles nab another run of their own. With one out and no runners on base, Watkins planted a pitch over the center field fence to make it a 5-2 ballgame.
• Watkins and Orfano each recorded a pair of hits, with Haberman and Funk collecting one each.
• Sierra Bertrand pitched 5.0 strong innings for the Purple Eagles, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk to go along with four strikeouts.

 
Niagara 2, Rider 1

• The Broncs scored first in the bottom of the third and maintained their lead for three full frames. In the top of the seventh, however, Niagara finally solved the Rider pitching staff. Jenna Patterson led off as a pinch hitter for Tara Driver and singled down the right field line. Morgan Genovese entered to run in Patterson's place and made it to second on a Jennifer Timm sac bunt before she got to third when Kelsey Harrigan grounded out to the second baseman. One out away from dropping the game, Watkins smacked a two-run blast into left center for a go-ahead home run.
• The Broncs stranded a runner in the bottom half of the seventh, sealing the win for Niagara.
• Orfano had two more hits in the second game, with seven other batters accounting for a hit as well.
• Karsen Cotton started and went 5.0 full innings, giving up just one run on six hits and one walk. In relief, Bertrand and Emily Johnston each spun 1.0 innings, combining for two hits and two strikeouts.

 
On Deck

• Niagara will host Youngstown State in a midweek doubleheader on April 3. First pitch will be at 3 p.m. from the Niagara Softball Field.

 

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