HAMDEN, CONN. – Niagara outscored Quinnipiac 12-1 across two games to take the each of the first two contests of the weekend series with the Bobcats. The Purple Eagles won game one, 1-0, behind a brilliant pitching performance from Maddie Hickingbottom, and then took game two 11-1 in five innings.
 
Niagara improves to 18-17 overall and 9-5 in MAAC play, while Quinnipiac falls to 16-17 overall and 6-8 in league action.
 
How it Happened
 
Game 1: Niagara 1, Quinnipiac 0
 
Maddie Hickingbottom tossed a complete game shutout in the first game of the double feature between Niagara and Quinnipiac, finishing with five strikeouts. The graduate student faced 26 batters, allowing three hits and four walks, but allowed just one hit in eight at bats with runners on.
 
Niagara's lone run of the game, and the deciding run came via a double by Sophia Marrero in the top of the fourth, allowing Shayna Myshrall to score all the way from first.
 
The Purple Eagles finished with three hits in the ball game.   
 
Niagara Notes
• Hickingbottom recorded five strikeouts, helping Niagara improving to 9-3 this season when the right-hander strikes out five or more batters.
• Marrero finished with two of Niagara's three hits, her fifth multi-hit game of the season.
 
Game 2: Niagara
 
Niagara scored four runs on three hits and three Bobcat errors in the top of the first to take a quick 4-0 lead over Quinnipiac. Samantha Hare, Brianna Delaney, Marrero, and Selah Moyer each recorded an RBI in the opening frame as all nine batters came to the plate for Niagara.
 
After adding a run in the fourth, the Purple Eagles went into the top of the fifth with a 5-1 advantage over Quinnipiac before exploding for six runs, including three on a bases clearing double from Marrero to take an 11-1 lead.
 
Niagara starter, Cara Leone secured her third win in the circle this season, shutting down the Bobcats in the bottom half of the fifth.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara is now 11-13 all-time against Quinnipiac, including 3-7 on the road.
• Three Purple Eagles recorded multi-hit games, including Marrero who finished with a team-best three hits.
• Marrero drove in four in game two, moving her season total to 21, tied for the second most on the team.
• Hare finished 2-for-3 with two double, two RBI, and two runs scored. The Kenmore native now leads Niagara with 24 RBI on the season, including 13 in league play.
• Mayo scored three runs, increasing her season total to a team-best 26. She has scored multiple runs in four games this season.
 
Up Next
Niagara will go for the sweep of the Bobcats on Sunday, April 21 at 11 a.m.  
 
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