Buffalo, N.Y. - Niagara Softball dropped a pair of games to Buffalo with game one's final being 14-13 in favor of Buffalo and game two being 8-2 for the Bulls at Nan Harvey Field in Buffalo, N.Y.
Game One
Buffalo got out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning as they recorded eight runs with Delaney Ellis leading the way for the Bulls with two RBIs.
Niagara's offense picked up in the top of the second as they recorded three runs. Senior Payton Rano with her first at bat this season as she hit a three-run shot to right field to bring the contest to 8-3.
The Purple and White got back to their scoring ways in the top of the third with a Hailey Cenname home run to left field which brought home Carmella Phelan.
Buffalo ripped off a pair of runs at the bottom of the fourth to go back to a three-run lead of 10-7.
The Purple Eagles would not go away as Jolyn Gibbons recorded Niagara's third homerun of the contest to cut the lead back to two.
Buffalo wanted part of the homerun fun as Abbey Nagel homered to center for the grand slam to move the game to 14-8.
After the four-run shot from Nagel, Rano singled to third to move Alessandra Carter home.
Lastly,
Carmella Phelan singled down the left field line to drive Hills home, as it was one run shy for Niagara to knot the contest up as they eventually fell 14-13 in game one.
Abbey Steen recorded one out as she faced seven batters before Gianna Graber came in and dealt the final 5.2 innings as she saw 29 batters as she punched out four.
Game Two
Niagara kicked off the scoring in game two as Cenname grounded out to the pitcher to drive Barnett across the plate to put the Purple Eagles up 1-0 after the first inning.
Kelli Plumaker would put the Purple Eagles up by two as she singled to the shortstop to bring
Ella Sheehan home.
Buffalo tied the game at two in the bottom of the fifth as Nagel tripled to right to bring Bella Smithson and Nicole Allen to score.
The Bulls ripped off six runs in the bottom of the sixth as Emily Gormon singled up the middle, which brought Ava Thelen home.
Nicole Allen recorded two RBIs as she singled to right. Reagan Terwilliger stole home to move the game to 6-2. To round out the scoring for Buffalo, Bella Smithson homered to center field with Allen coming home to take game two 8-2.
Jenna Martin got the start in the circle as she pitched five innings and faced 25 batters,
Gianna Graber came in for the final three outs as she saw 10 batters and struck out one.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara moves to 20-25 all-time against Buffalo
• Cenname recorded her 100th career hit in game one
• Rano played in her first game this season, she also recorded the most RBIS in one contest for the Purple Eagles with four
• Niagara recorded three homeruns in game one which is the most this season in a game
• The last time the Purple Eagles recorded three or more homeruns in a game was on April 4, 2025, as they recorded four against Rider
• In game one Niagara recorded game highs in runs scored (13), hits (16), RBIS (13), and doubles (5)
Up Next
Niagara returns to action as they take on Mount St. Mary's to return to MAAC play on April 3-4
