The Canisius College softball team opened the MAAC portion of the 2010 schedule with a split at long-time rival Niagara, dropping the first game 1-0 before bouncing back to defeat the Purple Eagles 6-3 in the nightcap. The Golden Griffins moved to 13-13 overall and 1-1 in league play while Niagara saw its record go to 7-11 overall and 1-1 in MAAC action.

For Canisius, sophomore Lizzy Gatto went a combined 3-for-6 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI and three stolen bases, while junior outfielder Lauren Hope went 3-for-8 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Sophomore pitcher Caroline Main earned her fifth win of the season in the circle in the second game after she gave up three runs (two earned) and scattered nine hits over seven innings while fanning six and walking none.

In the second game, Canisius got on the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Emily Helbig's RBI-single to left allowed sophomore Katie Lancellotti to score from third, and Gatto scored moments later on a Niagara error. The host Purple Eagles scored a single run in the bottom of the second and knotted the game at 2-2 in the home half of the fourth when Kristin Sito homered over the fence in center.

The Griffs took the lead for good in the sixth when Gatto raced around the bases to give the Blue and Gold a 3-2 lead. With one out in the inning, Gatto reached on a base hit through the left side of the infield and advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Kyla Hines. Gatto would eventually steal third base and then crossed the plate after a throwing error was charged to the Purple Eagles. The Griffs added three insurance runs in the seventh, with two of those runs scoring on a double by Lancellotti. She would later score on an RBI-single off the bat of Gatto.

Canisius racked up nine hits off three different Niagara pitchers in the second game, with Hope, Gatto and Helbig each posting two hits apiece in the victory. Niagara senior pitcher Cassie Stone took the loss in the second game after she allowed one run on four hits in four innings of relief.

In the first game, Niagara scored the game's only run in the home half of the sixth when Teresa Healy lined an RBI-single into centerfield that allowed teammate Maggie McDonald to score from second. McDonald was able to reach base via a leadoff single, and then moved to second base on a fielding error by the Blue and Gold. Niagara would load the bases in the bottom of the sixth with no one out, but freshman hurler Amanda Baun was able to get out of the jam by inducing an infield fly and two groundball outs.

The Griffs had their best chance to post a run on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth when Gatto led off the frame with her second double of the contest. With two outs in the inning and runners at second and third, Helbig drew a walk to load the bases, but DiMatteo got out of danger with a strikeout, one of her eight on the day.

DiMatteo earned the win in the circle for the Purple Eagles after she went seven full and gave up three hits. Baun took the loss for the Blue and Gold after she allowed one run on seven hits in six innings to go with six strikeouts and a walk. Canisius was only able to record three hits in the game one loss, with Hope, Gatto and freshman Katie Medina all reaching base safely.

Canisius will return to action Monday, April 5, when the team plays host to Robert Morris at 3 p.m., at the Demske Sports Complex in the team's 2010 home opener.