RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Niagara took both games of Friday's twin bill against Manhattan, defeating the Jaspers 7-4 in 10 innings in game one, followed 7-1 win in game two. The Purple Eagles improve to 7-10 overall and 2-0 in MAAC play on the season, while the Jaspers fall to 3-20 overall and 0-2 in league action.
How it Happened
Game 1: Niagara 7, Manhattan 4 (10 innings)
The Purple and White got out in front early, scoring the games first run in the top of the second as
Selah Moyer doubled to left to bring home
Brianna Delaney. Niagara would then go up by two, two innings later when Mayo singled up the middle with the bases loaded to take a 2-0 lead over the Jaspers.
In the bottom of the fourth Manhattan would finally get to Niagara starter
Maddie Hickingbottom, scoring its first run on a double to right, making it a 2-1 game after four innings.
Shayna Myshrall would put NU back up by two, 3-1, in the top of the fifth with a homer to left, her fourth home run of the season.
After the Jaspers made it a 3-2 game in the bottom of the fifth, Niagara would once again respond with a run in the following half inning as
Maggie Kellner brought home
Madison LaPenta on a groundout, making it a 4-2 game.
Manhattan would score one run in the sixth before tying the contest, 4-4, in the bottom of the seventh to force extras.
It would take until the 10th inning of action for Niagara to retake the lead as Myshrall launched a three-run home run over the center field wall, putting the Purple Eagles up 7-4.
Julia Thompson would shut the door on the Jaspers in the bottom half of the inning to give Niagara a 7-4 win in the first game of the series.
Niagara Notes
• Myshrall recorded her second multi home run game of the season, bringing her home run total on the year to a career-best five.
• Myshrall also recorded four RBI in the contest, her second game this season with at least four RBI in one game. Her season total of 14 is a career-best.
• Mayo finished with three hits, her first three-hit game of the season while recording her team-leading fifth double of the season.
• Limbani recorded her first career three-hit game.
• Moyer recorded two hits.
• Thompson finished with a season-high five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of relief.
Game 2: Niagara 7, Manhattan 1
The Purple Eagles bats kept it going in game two of the doubleheader as
Natasha Limbani doubled to right center to bring home
Sophia Marrero for the first run of the game in the second inning.
In the top of the third, a Jasper error would bring home LaPenta for the second run of the game, giving NU a 2-0 lead after three.
Marrero would drive in the next four runs for Niagara, hitting a solo home run in the fourth and a bases clearing double in the fifth to put the Purple and White ahead 6-0.
Bayliegh McCullough would bring home Niagara's seventh and final run of the contest in the fifth as a single to center brought home Marrero.
Hickingbottom, who got the nod again in game two pitched 5.0 innings, striking out a batter per inning while allowing one run on three hits.
Cara Leone came on in relief, pitching the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out a Jasper en route to helping NU pick up the Friday sweep.
Niagara Notes
• Marrero recorded three hits in four at bats, while leading Niagara with three runs scored and four RBI, all of which are season-highs.
• Marrero's home run was her first of the season.
• Limbani doubled in the contest, her first career double.
• Mayo extended her hit streak to five games with a two-hit performance, her eighth multi-hit game of the season.
• Hickingbottom struck out five Jaspers for a total of nine on the day. She has seven starts this season with at least four K's.
Up Next
Niagara will close out the three-game series with the Jaspers on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m.
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