LONGWOOD, Fla. – The Niagara softball team fell, 7-5, to Long Island in their lone matchup on Thursday afternoon. The Purple Eagles took the field knowing it would be their final game of the 2020 season. Due to the uncertainty caused by the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, Niagara University Athletics and the MAAC announced earlier today that all competition for the remainder of the academic year has been cancelled.


LIU 7, Niagara 5

• After going up 3-0 in the top of the first, LIU was stifled in the second by the pitching of Savannah Small and the Niagara defense. The Purple Eagles set the side down in order to return to offense following a strikeout and two putouts.
• The Sharks took their lead into the bottom of the third, where the Purple Eagles began to claw back. Kelsey Harrigan singled to left-center, and advanced to third on hits by Maggie Vesneske and Kendall Watkins. A Maria Gabriele single through the left side advanced the runners and scored Harrigan. Watkins then scored when Shayna Myshrall planted a hit in the right-center gap, making it 3-2 after three full innings.
• LIU posted four runs in the fourth, and the score remained 7-2 until the bottom of the seventh. Down to the last three outs, the Purple Eagles mounted an admirable comeback attempt. Vesneske singled into left and was followed aboard by Karsen Cotton. Vesneske then got to third by way of a fielder's choice on a swing by Avianna Peterson. Myshrall singled up the left side to score Vesneske, then made it to third while Peterson scored on a single by Kayla Raymond. A throwing error with Heather Haberman batting allowed Myshrall to come home and make it a 7-5 game.

 
Stats Spotlight

• Eight Niagara batters combined for 12 hits on the day. Myshrall (3), Vesneske (2), and Gabriele (2) all had multiple hits over the course of the game.
• Riley Crum spun 1.2 innings out of the bullpen for Niagara, giving up one hit and one walk.
• Emily Johnston closed out the game with 2.0 scoreless frames. The senior allowed just one hit and one walk to go along with two strikeouts.

 
Senior Salute

• Thank you especially to this year's senior class: Rachel Funk, Maria Gabriele, Emily Johnston, Bailey Stayner, and Kendall Watkins. This season may have been cut short, but the leadership each of you provided will continue to be felt for years to come.

 

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