North Andover, MA - Niagara softball dropped a midweek conference doubleheader to Merrimack, 9-6, 1-0 Tuesday afternoon at the Warrior Softball Diamond.
The Purple Eagles fell to 4-30, 3-18 MAAC, while the Warriors improved to 10-26, 8-15 conference play.
Game One
Merrimack kicked off the game one as they recorded four runs highlighted by Jamie Calki ns two RBI single to right center. The Warriors would extend their lead out to six in the fourth inning as Madeline Arvai recorded a two-run homerun.
Niagara would the get on the board in the fifth as Sophia Chemotti scored off the bat of CJ Haney as she singled up the middle. Later in the fifth, Ella Sheehan scored from a Donnalea Barnett single.
To wrap up the fifth inning rally Hailey Cenname would single down the left field line to score Haney to cut into the Warriors lead down to three.
The Purple and White would then knot the game at six courtesy of an Abigail Ras three-run homer to left field.
Merrimack would then take back the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Sam Ryan walked to score Anna Mitrou, Megan Miller was also waled as Arvai scored to bring the game to 8-6. Dejah Rondeau scored the final run of the contest as Calkins flew out to center in a sacrifice effort to make the Warriors victorious 9-6 in game one.
Ryann Hatty pitched the first 1.1 innings as she faced 12 batters with one strikeout. Gianna Graber then came in to pitch 3.1 innings to face 16 batters with two punchouts, Abbey Steen then pitched the final 1.1 innings as she faced the final eight batters as she recorded one strikeout.
Game Two
Purple Eagles starter Jenna Martin threw two scoreless innings to start the nightcap, but the Warriors broke through in the bottom of the third with a single off the bat of Anna Mitrou that plated Sam Russalesi.
It was a pitcher's battle for the rest of the contest with the Purple Eagles managing the only base knock after the end of the third.
The Purple Eagles tried to mount a comeback in the top of the sixth as CJ Haney got things started with a single up the middle followed by Donnalea Barnett reaching safely on a fielder's choice, but it was ultimately not enough as Niagara fell 1-0.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara is now 3-3 all-time against Merrimack
• Martin threw a career-high six innings in the nightcap, striking out a career-high four batters
• Ras hit her first collagiate home run in game one
• Gibbons extended her on-base streak to 10 games
• Cenname recorded two hits for the third straight game in game one
Up Next
Niagara Softball is back in action on Saturday, April 25th as they host Manhattan for Senior Day with the doubleheader slated for 12 p.m.
