MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — The Niagara University softball team dropped all three of its weekend contests at the Madeira Beach Spring Games, falling to LIU 8-5 on Saturday morning, Central Michigan 13-4 later that day, and LIU again 6-3 on Sunday.
 
Game 1: LIU 8, Niagara 5
The Purple Eagles battled back from an early deficit but couldn't hold off LIU in an 8-5 loss Saturday morning.
 
Natasha Limbani led Niagara with three hits, while Lindsay Mayo and Sophia Marrero each homered to pace the Purple Eagles' offense. Mayo's two-run blast in the third inning temporarily tied the game at 3-3, and Marrero's two-run homer in the fourth brought Niagara within two runs at 6-4.
 
Niagara struggled with pitching control throughout the contest, with the staff combining to issue 12 walks. Jenna Martin took the loss in her first decision of the season, allowing three runs in 1.2 innings of work. Sage Jackson threw 4.1 innings in relief, surrendering four runs.
 
LIU's Sarah Wall earned her first win of the season, allowing five runs over six innings while striking out four. Alyssa Polemeni provided the offensive highlight for the Sharks with a three-run homer in the fourth inning that proved to be the difference.
 
Game 2: Central Michigan 13, Niagara 4
The Purple Eagles jumped out to an early lead but couldn't withstand Central Michigan's offensive onslaught in a 13-4 defeat Saturday afternoon.
 
Niagara took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Brianna Delaney drove in Lindsay Mayo with a sacrifice fly. The Purple Eagles extended their advantage to 2-0 in the second when Kaylee Haines brought home Selah Moyer with another sacrifice fly.
 
Central Michigan responded with two runs in the third inning and one in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead before breaking the game open with a six-run fifth inning. The Chippewas added four more runs in the sixth to seal the victory.
 
Jolyn Gibbons provided the offensive highlight for Niagara with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Aubrey Tamayo took the loss, allowing five runs in four innings.
 
Madelyn Wallace earned the complete-game victory for Central Michigan, scattering four hits. The Chippewas' offense was powered by three home runs from Carly Sleeman, Keira Tolmie, and London Williams, who finished with three RBI.
 
Game 3: LIU 6, Niagara 3
The Purple Eagles' weekend concluded with a 6-3 loss to LIU on Sunday as the Sharks completed the weekend sweep.
 
Niagara took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, capitalizing on three passed balls by LIU catcher Priscilla Gillies. Hailey Cenname doubled and later scored, while Selah Moyer singled and also came around to score.
 
LIU answered with five runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Alyssa Garcia. The Sharks added another run in the fifth to take a 6-2 lead.
 
Brianna Delaney provided a bright spot for Niagara with a solo home run in the seventh inning, but the late rally fell short. Abbey Steen suffered the loss for the Purple Eagles, allowing five runs (three earned) in 2.2 innings.
 
Gigi Clavel earned the win for LIU, holding Niagara to two runs over five innings while striking out five. Sarah Wall pitched the final two innings to secure the victory.