A home run from senior Christie McGee-Ross was not enough as Canisius dropped the final game of its league series against Niagara, 6-3, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference softball action Wednesday at the Niagara Softball Field.

The Golden Griffins slipped to 12-14 overall on the season and 7-4 in league play while the Purple Eagles moved to 13-15 and 5-4 in conference play.

Niagara opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a single from Shayna Myshrall that scored Lindsey Mayo.

The Purple Eagles tacked on four more runs in the second to build a 5-0 cushion. A Canisius error and a sacrifice fly led to the first two runs of the frame before a two-run home run from Sam Hare finalized the inning.

McGee-Ross got Canisius on the board in the top of the fourth inning with a solo homer to right center. A bases-loaded walk to senior Megan Giese brought home the second run of the frame. 

Niagara pushed another run across in the bottom of the fifth as Sophia Marrero singled to score Hannah Mingle and make it a 6-2 contest.

The Golden Griffins closed out the scoring with a RBI groundout from sophomore Sofia Escoto to score sophomore Morgan Cook, who recorded a double earlier in the inning.

Freshman Olivia Herrington made her first career start in the circle for Canisius and took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in one inning of work. Junior Kate Wiggins took over for Herrington in the second, pitching four innings and surrendering three runs on two hits with three strikeouts. Giese came into the game in the sixth and retired all three batters she faced in the frame.

GAME NOTES
• Canisius is now 101-30-1 all-time against Niagara.
• Junior Rosie Gomez accounted for third third Canisius hit in the contest, recording a single to leadoff the second inning. 
• Ilano saw her season-best on-base streak ended at 14 games.
• McGee-Ross has hit a home run in four of the last seven games.
 

UP NEXT
Cansisius remains on the road to face Iona in a three-game MAAC series April 13-14 in New Rochelle, N.Y. First pitch for both days is slated for noon.

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