NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara softball team will take on in-state foe Syracuse in a doubleheader Wednesday at Skytop Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., with game two tentatively slated for 5 p.m.
Last Time Out
- The Purple Eagles traveled to Youngstown State and earned a split with the Penguins on Friday, April 13. Niagara came out slugging and took game one, 9-4, but fell 3-2 in the second game. Jerri Ann Orfano led the team offensively, going a combined 5-8 with four RBI, three runs scored and two doubles. In game one, Orfano reached base safely in each of her first four at-bats before a fielder’s choice in the seventh inning ended that streak.
On the Field: Niagara Purple Eagles (10-23, 2-4 MAAC)
- Jerri Ann Orfano, Kendall Watkins and Kelsey Harrigan are all tied for the team lead with 27 hits.
- With 26 RBI, Orfano not only leads the team in that category, but ranks second overall in the MAAC as well.
- Watkins’ .290 batting average and .431 on-base percentage are both team highs.
- Watkins and Orfano lead the team with five home runs apiece, tied for sixth-most in the MAAC.
- In the circle, Sierra Bertrand (5-8) leads the Purple Eagle pitching staff with 46 strikeouts in 73.2 innings pitched. She has an ERA of 3.90 in 16 appearances for Niagara.
- Karsen Cotton (3-8) has fanned 32 batters in 64.2 innings pitched and holds an ERA of 4.65.
On the Field: Syracuse Orange (21-18, 5-11 Atlantic Coast Conference)
- In their last outing, Syracuse hosted the Louisville Cardinals in a doubleheader on Friday, April 13. After dropping the first game, 3-2, the Orange leveled the series with a 4-3 win in game two. A third game slated for the next day was cancelled due to poor weather.
- Niagara will be Syracuse’s third MAAC opponent of the month. On April 4, Canisius dropped both games of their doubleheader, 6-2 and 10-4, at Skytop Softball Stadium. The following week, the Orange traveled to Siena, where they won both games by 6-3 and 7-0 scores.
- Syracuse’s total of six home runs on the season ranks 282nd in D-I.
- Bryce Holmgren’s .413 batting average and .558 on-base percentage are second among all ACC batters. She also leads the Orange with 25 home runs.
- Sammy Fernandez has 13 stolen bases in 17 attempts so far this season, best on Syracuse’s roster and ninth overall in the conference.
- Alexa Romero’s 1.94 ERA ranks seventh in the ACC. She has thrown 137 innings, racking up 205 strikeouts compared to 72 hits and 47 walks.
- Romero has held opposing hitters to a .150 batting average, the conference’s second-lowest total.
Up Next
· Niagara will have a busy weekend in conference play, starting with a trip to take on Manhattan College in a doubleheader on Saturday. From there, the Purple Eagles will head south to Saint Peter’s University to battle the Peacocks in another two-game set. First pitch on both days is set for 12 p.m.