Niagara Forces Deciding Game 7 With 2-0 Victory Over Canisius
Niagara Media Relations
Poughkeepsie, NY - Niagara defeated Canisius, 2-0 to force a deciding Game 7 at the 2009 MAAC Softball Championship on Saturday afternoon. It will be the third time the local rivals have met in the last two days. The winner of the championship game will earn an automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
Freshman pitcher Julie DiMatteo (South Portland, Maine) pitched a gem in the complete-game victory. She tossed a three hitter and struck out four, while keeping Canisius scoreless.
The Purple Eagles gave DiMatteo all the run support she needed in the sixth inning. Senior Heather Lohrman (Newport Beach, Calif.) led off the inning with a single and was pinch run for by Laynie Stillman (Homer, N.Y.). Niagara was down to two outs with Stillman on third when Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.) beat out an infield single to put NU up 1-0. Niagara added another run on a bases loaded walk.
Game 7 is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start. It can be seen live on www.maacsports.com.