NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Two wins over the Manhattan Jaspers gave the Niagara softball team its longest winning streak of the season. The victories marked the program's first full weekend sweep of MAAC opponents since the 2013 season.
 
Niagara 9, Manhattan 7

• The Jaspers struck in the top of the first for the game's opening run, but the Purple Eagles responded threefold in the bottom half of the frame. Heather Haberman and Maria Gabriele each walked before Jerri Ann Orfano cleaned the bases with a three-run blast to set the score at 3-1.
• The second saw Niagara add to its lead with a busy inning at the dish. Jennifer Timm led off with a double, was moved to third on a sac bunt by Jenna Patterson, then came home when Maggie Vesneske singled through the left side. A pitching change did little to deter the Purple Eagles, as Kelsey Harrigan singled to get runners on the corners before a fielder's choice from Haberman loaded the bases. A single by Gabriele advanced each runner and scored Vesneske to make it a 5-1 game.
• Manhattan narrowed the gap to 5-3 in the fourth, but the Purple Eagles kept the threat at bay by adding four runs in the fourth. Haberman started things off with a double into center before walks to Gabriele and Orfano loaded the bases again. With no outs in the inning, Kendall Watkins smoked a pitch to deep left field for her second grand slam in two weeks.
• Starting pitcher Sierra Bertrand went 6.0 innings, striking out six batters while allowing only three runs on four hits.
• Eight Purple Eagles combined for nine hits, with Timm's 2-for-3 outing leading the squad. The offense also went 2-for-2 with 5 RBI when the bases were loaded (in four total at-bats). On the weekend, Niagara batters had 10 plate appearances with the bags juiced and went 4-for-5 with 12 RBI in those plate appearances.

 
Niagara 6, Manhattan 4

• Scoreless through three and a half innings, Niagara opened up a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Orfano led off with a single, then moved to third when Watkins put a double into left-center field. Bella Garone entered to run for Orfano, then scored with Timm in the box when a wild pitch hit the backstop. Timm proceeded to get aboard and score Watkins on a fielder's choice.
• Manhattan used three runs in the fifth to get on top, but the Purple Eagles responded and tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom half of the inning. Haberman opened things up with a double, then came off for Maddie Rastello, who pinch ran in her place. Rastello got to third when Orfano grounded out, then scored when Watkins singled up the gut.
• The Jaspers reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth, but once again Niagara replied, this time to go ahead for good. Timm led off and reached safely on an error by the second baseman before Morgan Genovese came on to pinch run. A sac bunt from Patterson got Genovese into scoring position before another error by the second baseman gave Genovese third and set Vesneske up on first. A single by Harrigan then scored both runners before Haberman returned the favor and plated Harrigan to make it 6-4 Niagara.
• Haberman, Gabriele, and Watkins accounted for two hits each.
• Jennifer Szilagyi gave up just three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four batters in 4.2 innings of work. Bertrand closed out the game by entering in the seventh and allowing just one hit while fanning two batters.

 
On Deck

• Niagara will open up a busy week when they travel to local rivals UB on Tuesday and Saint Bonaventure on Thursday.

 

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