ALBANY, N.Y. – The Niagara softball team picked up a split decision in its midweek clash at Albany on Thursday evening. Niagara went into extras to win the first game before dropping the back end.
 
Niagara 5, Albany 4 (9 inn.)

• The Great Danes scattered four runs over the game's first four innings before the Purple Eagles mounted a huge counter in the top of the fifth. Jennifer Timm led off the inning with a double on a full count. Bailey Stayner entered to run for Timm before Maggie Vesneske and Kelsey Harrigan each singled to load the bases. A fielder's choice by Maria Gabriele created an error that led to both Stayner and Vesneske crossing the plate, making it 4-2.
• Still with one out against in the frame, a wild pitch to Jerri Ann Orfano scored Harrigan from third while pushing Gabriele to second, where Morgan Genovese came on to run in her stead. Orfano then singled up the gut to put Genovese on third before Heather Haberman once again loaded the bases on a fielder's choice.
• With all three bases occupied, Bella Garone came on to run for Orfano before Kendall Watkins got plunked to scratch across Genovese for the tying run.
• Niagara got a runner to seventh in the top of the seventh with two outs but couldn't get her home before the third out.
• In the ninth, Kelsey Harrigan supplied a leadoff double, then scored after a wild pitch and an Orfano single to put Niagara ahead, 5-4.
• The Great Danes mustered a single in the bottom of the frame but didn't do anything with it, clinching the win for the Purple Eagles.
• Harrigan and Orfano each went 3-for-5 from the dish, while Timm also had multiple knocks (2-4) to account for eight of the team's nine hits.
• In relief, Emily Johnston earned her first win of the season by pitching a full 5.0 while allowing just four baserunners (two runs and two walks) and adding two strikeouts to her name as well.

 
Albany 7, Niagara 0

• Trailing by six as the game rolled into the sixth inning, Niagara's best chance to get on the board came when Orfano and Watkins struck for back-to-back hits. Orfano's one-out single was followed by a double into left-center by Watkins, moving Orfano from first to third.
• Orfano and Maddie Rastello each went 2-for-3 in the second game.
• In the "something you don't see every day" category, starting pitcher Sierra Bertrand allowed one run (unearned) over her 3.0 innings despite not giving up a hit or yielding a walk.

 
On Deck

• Niagara's busy week continues at home, as Saint Peter's and Manhattan roll into town for doubleheaders at Niagara Softball Field. The Peacocks will play two on Saturday at noon, while the Jaspers will start up at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

 

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