NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – After having a non-conference doubleheader with St. Bonaventure canceled the Purple Eagles will return to action this weekend when they travel to Iona and Fairfield for a pair of doubleheaders.
Niagara and Iona will play Saturday, April 23 beginning at noon while the Purple Eagles and Stags will play a twin bill on Sunday, April 24 with first pitch at 11 a.m.
Last Time Out
• The Purple Eagles dropped two games to No. 19 Auburn last weekend.
• After getting blanked in game one of the doubleheader, Niagara struck for seven in the second game but the Tigers scored 15 for the win.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara enters Thursday's contest 11-16 overall and 5-3 in MAAC play.
• As a team, Niagara is hitting .238 and has a team ERA of 4.78.
•
Maggie Kellner is top on team with a .345 average (29-for-84) and 12 doubles. The catcher is second on the team with 14 RBI.
•
Samantha Hare is coming off a week where she went 5-for-10 with a home run and six RBI at the plate. The right fielder is currently hitting .289 with four home runs and 22 RBI, both of which are tops on the team.
•
Kelsey Harrigan is second on the team with a .303 average and leads the Purple Eagles with a .442 on base percentage and 21 runs scored. The fifth-year center fielder is third on the team with 12 RBI.
• In the circle,
Riley Crum has a team-best ERA of 2.86 with a 5-4 record. In 41.2 innings of work the junior has allowed 44 hits, 25 walks with 25 strikeouts.
• Niagara reliever
Julia Thompson is second on the team with a 3.06 ERA in 17 appearances out of the bullpen. The right hander has struck out 10 in 25.1 innings of work.
• Junior transfer
Maddie Hickingbottom has a team-high 74 K's on the season. The righty struck out a career-high 14 in her start against YSU last Tuesday.
Series History: Iona
• Niagara is 22-30 against the Gaels dating back to 2000.
• Under Coach Puzan the Purple and White are 7-13 against Iona.
Series History: Fairfield
• The Purple Eagles and Stags have split the last 10 meetings in the all-time series with Niagara holding a three game win streak over Fairfield.
• Since 2013, Niagara is 5-10 against the Stags.
Up Next
Niagara will host Syracuse for a midweek non-conference doubleheader with the Orange. First pitch between NU and Cuse is set for 3 p.m.
