Softball Defeated by Niagara at Home on Saturday

JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Saint Peter's University softball team hosted Niagara on Friday afternoon for its first two contests of a four-game series against the Purple Eagles. The visitors swept the day, taking a pair of wins by margins of 6-2 and 7-1. The first outing was a one-run game until the top of the sixth inning, when Niagara was able to pull away for the victory, while the Purple Eagles were able to get out to an early lead in Game 2 and would hold the advantage through to the end.
 
Game 1 Notes:

• Saint Peter's struck first in Game 1 on Friday afternoon, as the team put one run on the board in the bottom of the first inning after a single to right field from sophomore Brandi Feeney brought in junior Katie Sciglimpaglia from third base.
• The Purple Eagles found the equalizer in the next frame though, as a Niagara home run tied the score at 1-1.
• Each team then placed runners in scoring position during the third inning, but would not be able to capitalize.
• The score remained at 1-1 until the top of the fifth frame when Niagara would score an unearned run to take its first lead of the day with a 2-1 edge.
• The Purple Eagles found another run in the top of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead, before posting three more runs in the final inning to go up 6-1 on the Peacocks.
• Saint Peter's would attempt a late rally in the bottom of the seventh with one out on the board as freshman Maiah Skakal singled through the left side, which brought in junior captain Anja Solveig Kane, bringing the score to 6-2. 
• The comeback would end there though, as the next two Saint Peter's batters flied out to left field.

Game 2 Notes:

• Both sides got runners in scoring position in the opening frame of Game 2 but left all runners stranded as the scoreboard read 0-0 after the first inning.
• Niagara opened up the scoring in the second inning, posting five runs to jump out to an early 5-0 lead.
• The game turned into a pitching duel beginning in the third inning when sophomore Kristen Brennan took the mound for the Peacocks, as neither side found another run until the final inning.
• The Purple Eagles were able to score two more runs in the top of the seventh, increasing their lead to 7-0.
• The shutout would be denied though, as freshman Madison Simone hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing in sophomore Sophie Wilson from third.
• Again, the rally would end as soon as it began for Saint Peter's, as Niagara secured the 7-1 victory two batters later.

Inside the Numbers:

• Simone's RBI in the bottom of the seventh in the day's second contest is the rookie's first of her career.
• Brennan put in a strong shift on the bump in Game 2, pitching five innings while allowing just five hits and two runs.
• Both Kane and sophomore Cara McNulty finished the day's first contest with a double, while Sciglimpaglia recorded the team's lone stolen base in the exchange.
• Feeney (3), Kane (2), Wilson (2), and junior Olyvia Smith (3) all finished the day with multiple hits.

Coach's Quotes - Chris Stelma:

• "We are looking forward to celebrate our Senior, Alyssa Adams tomorrow."
• "We continue to grow as a program and a team everyday and Alyssa has been a huge part of that."

Up Next:

• The Peacocks return to Jersey City this weekend for a four-game series against Niagara from April 31-May 1. Saturday's games will begin at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., while Sunday's slate features start times of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additionally, Sunday will feature the team's annual Senior Day ceremony prior to Game 1.