Niagara Falls, NY - The Iona College softball team began their western New York weekend swing with a doubleheader against Niagara. The Gaels (8-21, 2-2 MAAC) had a 5-1 lead, but an eight run third inning pushed the Purple Eagles (16-16, 5-1 MAAC) to a 10-9 win. In game two, the Maroon & Gold again had a lead, but a four run fourth inning gave Niagara the sweep, 6-4.

C Melanie Gettins got the Gaels on the scoreboard in the first inning with an RBI double to left center scoring CF Erin Kyle. After a groundout pushed her to third base, 1B/2B Lolli Mills dropped a RBI single into right center and it was 2-0 Iona. The lead grew to 3-0 in the second inning as SS Amanda Glaser reached on an error and stole second. RF Laura Hackimer drew a walk and the runners move into scoring position on a passed ball and Glaser crossed the plate after 2B Paige Cauley's sacrifice fly. Niagara added a run in the bottom of the second and Iona countered with a pair off a 2-run homerun by Christie with Mills on-base to make it 5-1.

The Purple Eagles were held in check by starting pitcher Becky Riccitelli, but were able to pick up her timing in the bottom of the third. Niagara plated eight runs on four hits including a two-run homerun, a bases-loaded clearing double and a 2-RBI triple. Iona responded with four runs in the fifth inning to draw closer. With Riccitelli and 3B Jessica Horvath on, Christie drilled a three-run homer to center field to make it 9-8. Two batters later, Hackimer doubled to center and came around to score on an Amanda Berard RBI single to tie the game at 9. The Purple Eagles, though scored in the bottom of the sixth and held on for a 10-9 win. Berard threw 3.1 innings with two-hits, one run, no earned, one walk and four strikeouts in the loss. Gettins went 2-for-4 and Christie finished 2-for-4 with five RBIs and two runs scored.

In game two, Iona took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Riccitelli hit a solo-shot to left-center for her second of the season. The lead held as Katie Jo Passero shut out the Purple Eagles and surrendered just two hits through three innings. Niagara had another big inning and plated four runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth innings including a two-run homerun. Niagara added a pair in its next trip to the plate to make it 6-1, but Iona didn't back down. After Cauley drew a walk to lead-off the top of the sixth, Gettins brought her home on a 2-run home-run and cut the lead to 6-3. The Gaels went back-to-back as Horvath drilled her first long ball of the season and Iona was within two runs, 6-4, but could draw no closer. Gettins finished 2-for-3 with 2 RBI.

The Gaels return to the field and conclude their western New York swing with a doubleheader against Canisius on Sunday, April 13.