YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO – Niagara (8-11) saw its four-game win streak come to an end Tuesday afternoon as it fell to Youngstown State (19-14) in both games of the non-conference doubleheader.
The Purple Eagles forced extra's in game one but fell, 5-4 in the eighth. In game two, YSU topped Niagara, 9-2.
Game 1 Recap: L, 4-5 (8 Innings)
• The Purple Eagles nearly got on the board in the top of the first, but
Maggie Kellner was cut down at home to end the inning.
• The Penguins took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first via a bases-loaded hit by pitch.
• Niagara tied the game in the top of the fourth when
Kaity McInall drove in
Shayna Myshrall with an RBI single to center.
• In the top of the fifth, Youngstown State scored three runs to take a 4-1 lead over Niagara.
• The game would remain 4-1 in favor of the Penguins going into Niagara's last at-bats. The Purple Eagles then struck for three runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game and force extras.
• Hare drove in Harrigan and McInall with a single, and
Maggie Vesneske advanced to third on the play. She would score the game-tying run on a Kellner double.
• YSU walked it off in the bottom of the eighth inning with an RBI single.
• Crum got the start in the circle for Niagara, going 3.0 innings, allowing two hits, one run, and striking out two.
•
Cara Leone came in to start the fourth. The transfer allowed three runs in 2.0 innings of work before being replaced by
Julia Thompson to start the sixth. Thompson would allow the game-winning run in the eighth.
Game 2 Recap: L, 2-9
• The Purple Eagles scored first in game two thanks to a two-run home run from
Alicia Nash in inning number three.
• The lead wouldn't last long as YSU scored twice in the home half of the inning to tie the game.
• The score would remain the same until the fifth inning when the Penguins plated three via a three-run homer.
• YSU would add four in the sixth to give the game its 9-2 final.
•
Maddie Hickingbottom got the start for Niagara in game two. She finished with 4.0 innings pitched, allowing four hits, two runs, and one walk while striking out two.
•
Emma Collee pitched one inning in relief, giving up three runs on three hits, and
Sage Jackson pitched the sixth, allowing four runs on two hits.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara drops to 8-11 overall on the season.
• Nash's home run in game two was the first of her career. The junior finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate.
• Hare collected two hits in seven plate appearances, including a double and two RBI. The outfielder now has four multi-hit games this season.
•
Hannah Mingle went 2-for-2 in game two and came across to score on Nash's homer. Her base hit in the third was the first of her collegiate career.
• McInall went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored on the afternoon. The junior middle infielder now has a .245 average on the season and six runs batted in.
• As a team, Niagara hit .241 and posted a team ERA of 7.17 in the twin bill.
Up Next
• Niagara will travel to the Garden State to take on Monmouth and Rider this weekend. The first pitch against the Hawks is at noon on Saturday, April 9, and the doubleheader against Rider will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 10.
