NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – A walk-off single in the game one, followed by an 11-run outburst in game two, lifted Niagara to a sweep of its Little Three Rival St. Bonaventure Thursday afternoon in non-conference action from Niagara Softball Field.
Game 1 Recap: Niagara 1, Bona 0
• Senior right-hander
Maddie Hickingbottom was in complete control in game one, allowing just four runners to reach base in a 10 strikeout, complete game shutout win.
• Niagara's first hit came via a leadoff single by
Jaden Swiatek in the second inning, but it wasn't until the seventh when
Shayna Myshrall led off the frame with a pinch-hit single, followed by a double down the left field line from Bayliegh McCullough to put two runners in scoring position for NU.
•
Sophia Marrero would pinch hit and be intentionally walked to load the bases for Niagara and bring pinch hitter,
Kaylee Haines to the plate.
• Haines would lace the 0-1 pitch into right to give Niagara the 1-0 win.
Niagara Notes
• Hickingbottom tossed her fourth complete-game shutout of the season. The senior's 10 k's gives her 138 on the season, which ranks fifth most by a Purple Eagle in a season.
•
Lilly Irvine got the start in right field for Niagara, going 1-for-2 at the plate, with a double.
• McCullough went 1-for-3 at the plate with her double in the seventh.
Game 2 Recap: Niagara 11, Bona 0 (5 inn.)
• Niagara batted around in the second inning, scoring five runs on two hits, two walks, and five Bonnies errors.
Hailey Cenname,
Hannah Mingle,
Madison LaPenta,
Samantha Hare, and McCullough all came around to score.
• In the third, the Purple Eagles would plate six, with Irvine, McCullough, Marrero, Myshrall, and Hare all driving in runs.
•
Cara Leone and
Riley Crum combined for the complete game shutout, allowing just three hits in five innings.
Niagara Notes
• Leone improved to 2-9 on the season and saw her ERA drop to 5.07.
• The Purple Eagles earned their first shutout sweep of the season, and first back-to-back shutouts since the 2021 season.
• Marrero led Niagara with two hits and three RBI. The freshman now has 17 hits and 12 RBI on the season.
• Hare, McCullough, and Cenname each scored two runs for the Purple Eagles.
• The middle of the order for NU, McCullough, Marrero, and Myshrall, went 4-for-8 with six RBI.
Up Next
• Niagara begins the final weekend of MAAC play with a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Friday against Mount St. Mary's. The game will be streamed live on the Niagara Sports Network.
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