EDISON, N.J. – After a big week of big wins, Niagara senior first baseman Jerri Ann Orfano has been named the MAAC's Player of the Week, as announced on Tuesday. The Niagara Falls, New York native was a force at the plate and helped the Purple Eagles go 4-0 in conference play to climb into the playoff picture.
 
Orfano started the week by going 5-for-8 with an RBI in two games at Albany on April 25. Niagara split the day against the Great Danes thanks to her clutch single in the top of the ninth to break a 4-4 tie in the opening game.
 
At home against Saint Peter's on April 27, Orfano totaled three hits and piled up three RBI. In game one, she knocked a game-tying homer in the bottom of the second. She followed that up with by plating two runners with a bases-loaded single in the second game. The following day, Orfano took Manhattan's starting pitcher deep with three-run shot into center field to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first.
 
For the week, Orfano batted .476 (10-21), had a slugging percentage of .762, and put up seven RBI.
 
Niagara returns to action On Thursday, May 2 at Saint Bonaventure. The doubleheader is slated to start at 3 p.m. The Purple Eagles will then close out the regular season at home on May 4-5 against Quinnipiac and Marist. May 4's affair with the Bobcats will be preceded with a Senior Day ceremony to honor Orfano and the entire Niagara softball class of 2019.
 
 
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