NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, New York – The Marist softball team swept a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Niagara on Friday. The Red Foxes prevailed 2-1 in game one, and won game two 7-3 with a five-run seventh inning.

Here is a closer look at each game:

Game One – Marist 2, Niagara 1

The Red Foxes opened the scoring in the top of the third as senior Janna Korak drew a bases-loaded walk, which forced home junior Brittany Colombo. The lead remained at 1-0 until the seventh, when senior Rebecca Freeman drove home sophomore Casey Page with a single, which proved to be a necessary insurance run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Jerri Ann Orfano led off with a double, and Kendall Watkins followed with an RBI single to cut Marist's lead to 2-1. But Marist senior Jayne Oberdorf responded with a strikeout and two induced groundouts to end the game.

Oberdorf (5-3) tossed a four-hitter, struck out four, and allowed just one walk. She retired seven straight between the fourth and sixth innings. Freeman and sophomore Brandi Coon each had two hits.

Sierra Bertrand (9-7) pitched a complete game for Niagara with eight strikeouts.

Game Two – Marist 7, Niagara 3

The Red Foxes had 10 hits in the game's first four innings, and scored single runs in the third and fourth. However, the Purple Eagles took the lead with one run apiece in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings and took a 3-2 lead into the seventh.

Marist started its seventh-inning rally with two outs and no one on base. Freeman walked, and was pinch-run for by freshman Ali Milam. Coon reached on an error, moving Milam to third. Junior Kourtney Paul then reached on an error, which enabled Milam to score the tying run. Junior Gabrielle Kelliher followed with an infield single, which brought home Coon with the go-ahead run. An infield single by sophomore Madison Lee loaded the bases, and a three-run error off ball hit by Colombo gave the Red Foxes a four-run lead.

Niagara loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half of the inning, but sophomore Kallen Leeseberg came out of the bullpen for two strikeouts to end the game and earn her second save of the season.

Red-shirt senior Jessica Van Alphen (10-3), who gave up only one earned run in 6.1 innings, earned the victory. The Red Foxes had 12 hits. Each starter had at least one, with Kelliher, Lee, and sophomore Miranda Perez having two apiece.

Bertrand (9-8), who pitched the seventh, took the loss for Niagara. Starter Jennifer Szilagyi gave up one earned run and struck out four in the first six innings.

Marist is now 28-19 overall and 8-6 in the MAAC. Niagara is 15-23 on the season and 6-8 in conference play.

The Red Foxes return to action on Saturday, when they remain in western New York to face Canisius in a MAAC doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.