SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles fell in both games of Wednesday's doubleheader against Syracuse, losing a 7-6 heartbreaker in the opener before being shut out 15-0 in a mercy-rule shortened nightcap at Skytop Stadium.
Game 1: Syracuse 7, Niagara 6
Niagara (2-9) appeared poised for an upset over the Orange (18-8) before Syracuse mounted a dramatic four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to snatch the victory.
Shayna Myshrall, a Syracuse native, provided the offensive highlight for the Purple Eagles with a three-run home run to center field in the third inning, giving Niagara an early 3-0 lead. After Syracuse responded with three runs of their own, Niagara capitalized on two Orange errors in the fifth inning to build a 6-3 advantage.
Sophia Marrero delivered a crucial two-RBI double in that fifth-inning rally, driving in
Madison LaPenta and
Natasha Limbani. Marrero finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while
Kaylee Haines went 2-for-3 with a double for the Purple Eagles.
Niagara starter
Sage Jackson pitched effectively through six innings, allowing five runs (five earned) while striking out two. However, after Jackson faced two batters in the seventh without recording an out, reliever
Jenna Martin (0-2) was unable to preserve the lead, surrendering two runs without recording an out.
The collapse began when Syracuse's Kayla Sigala doubled to right field with the bases loaded, scoring two runs to cut Niagara's lead to 6-5. Tessa Galipeau then singled to right field, bringing home two more runs for the 7-6 Syracuse victory.
Game 2: Syracuse 15, Niagara 0
Syracuse dominated from the outset, scoring five runs in the second inning, three in the third, and seven in the fourth to invoke the mercy rule after five innings.
Niagara starter
Aubrey Tamayo (0-4) endured a difficult outing, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits over four innings. Reliever
Abbey Steen also struggled, facing seven batters in the fourth inning without recording an out while allowing six runs.
The Purple Eagles managed just five hits against Syracuse pitcher Rose Cano (2-1), who struck out seven in a complete game shutout. Myshrall provided one of the few bright spots for Niagara, going 2-for-2 with a double, while
Brianna Delaney and
Jolyn Gibbons each added singles.
Niagara's defense committed two errors, including one that led to multiple unearned runs during Syracuse's five-run second inning. The Purple Eagles failed to draw a walk in the contest and struck out seven times against Cano.
Jadyn Burney led the Syracuse attack, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while Madelyn Lopez added two hits and three RBIs. The Orange collected 13 hits and drew eight walks in just four innings of offense.
Niagara Notes
• With the losses, Niagara has now dropped nine-straight.
• Myshrall recorded her second career home run against Syracuse and her first long ball of 2025 in game one.
• Myshrall has a hit in each of the last four games.
• With one hit in the latter contest, Gibbons has recorded a hit in six of nine games played.
• Cenname saw her five-game hit streak come to an end.
Up Next
Niagara will travel to Youngstown, Ohio to take on Youngstown State on Tuesday, March 25. First pitch of the twin bill is set for 3 p.m.
